‘I was the only person who didn't know the words to Coldplay': Anoushka Shankar's honest playlist

The Guardian

04-05-2025

The first song I fell in love withTana Mana by my dad, Ravi Shankar. In the late 80s he was experimenting with synthesisers and released an album called Tana Mana, an anomaly in his discography. I remember my imagination would light up with the title song – I would picture a village dance, and I'd be acting it out in my living room for my mum.
The first single I boughtWhatta Man by Salt-N-Pepa. I was living in California in the 1990s and there was a lot of R&B around. I bought a lot of Salt-N-Pepa and TLC as a teenager.
The song that changed my lifeI was at Luz Records in California and they put Teardrop by Massive Attack on. I had a visceral response from the first beat.
The song that gets me up in the morningBedia by Rajery is uplifting and happy. There's a strand of my heart that belongs to music from Africa; these incredible melodies are unabashedly joyful.
The song I sing at karaokeI fucking hate karaoke. I despise it with a fiery passion. I don't understand what's fun about it. I remember being at a party in my early 30s where everyone started belting out a Coldplay song and I was probably the only person in the room who didn't know the words.
The song I inexplicably know every lyric toI Swear by All-4-One. I was about 13 and had my first crush. I'd slow danced with him to this the night we met. Unfortunately, he lived in India. We would write letters – it was very romantic. I ended up completely obsessed with this song, I would listen on repeat. If it comes on, I act out the whole thing. It happened a couple of months ago; my kids were mortified.
The song I can no longer listen toAnything from my first three albums. The first one came out when I was 17, but I recorded it when I was 16. I was given an incredible opportunity, but there is not the inner passion that makes it unique. I took a break and released Rise, my fourth album, when I was 24. From then on, I love what I was doing.
The best song to have sex toCome Away With Me by Norah Jones. The funny thing is how many people over the decades have felt the need to tell me that my sister's first record is great to make love to. Clearly I'm not having sex to that record, but apparently it's a good one.
The best song to play at a partyJimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja by Parvati Khan. There was a magic moment where Bollywood tied with early disco in such a perfect way in the 70s and 80s. If I put this on, without fail, everyone's up and dancing.
The song that makes me cryStill Feel It All by Maro. This is sparse, there is a quality to her voice that is spacious, minimal, you hear the emotion, but it leaves space. It is a beautiful song.
The song I want played at my funeralShanti-Mantra by Ravi Shankar, which has always been a favourite of my dad's. It means prayer for peace. It feels hallowed and uplifting.
Anoushka Shankar's Chapter III: We Return to Light is out now. She is guest director of Brighton festival, 3 to 26 May.