‘The song I wish I’d written? Wonderwall’: Gabrielle’s honest playlist

The first song I remember hearing
Top of the World by the Carpenters on the radio when I was three or four, standing in the school playground on top of a bench, thinking: “Now I’m top of the world!” Although I didn’t realise it was by the Carpenters at the time.

The first single I bought
I loved Olivia Newton-John, but I loved John Travolta even more. I saved up my pocket money and went to Woolworths – with all the pick’n’mixes – with my mum to buy You’re the One That I Want on seven-inch when I was nine or 10.

The song I do at karaoke
On my last tour, I was singing Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen to the point I thought: Do you know what? I think I need to sing that in a show of mine. I’m doing festivals this summer and I love that song so much, I think it’s going to make its way into one of my set lists.

The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
What’s Love Got to Do With It by Tina Turner. I bought her Private Dancer album for my mum as a birthday present. I used to come home after school and literally wear out the vinyl with the needle. I remember thinking: Oh my God, the sound has gone all scratchy, so I had to save up and buy her a new one. I love her and I love that song especially.

The best song to put on at a party
Like I Love You by Justin Timberlake. When the music comes on, I think I’m dancing like Justin. But I’ve been told I’m nothing like him!

The song I can no longer listen to
Waiting for a Star to Fall by Boy Meets Girl. I played it to death. I still need to have a bit of a break because it doesn’t seem that long ago. I love that song, but when I listen to it, I’m like: no, you’ve listened to it for too long.

The song I wish I had written
Wonderwall by Oasis. I love that song. I never knew what it was about at the time, but that was one of my tunes. I’ll just continue to love Oasis and sing their songs, but only in private.

The song that changed my life
Dreams. In the original version, I sing it over a sample of Fast Car by Tracy Chapman but we couldn’t get clearance, which turned out to be the best thing as it means I don’t have to give away all my royalties. If it wasn’t for that song, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

The song that gets me up in the morning
Right now, it’s Never Need Me by Rachel Chinouriri. She’s a British artist and I just love that she’s a black female doing very alternative music. When I hear it, I stop what I’m doing and have a little bit of a jig so it’s on my playlist for the mornings.

The song I want played in my funeral
In the End by Linkin Park.

• Gabrielle’s new album A Place in Your Heart is out on 10 May.