Big Braw playlist: From tearjerkers to all-time classics more stars pick their top tracks

Take Me Home, Country Roads by Olivia Newton-John is a favourite as is Shirley Bassey’s When You Smile.

Last week we highlighted the important role music can play in helping to tackle Alzheimer’s and other debilitating conditions.

As part of the Sunday Post’s Big Braw Community campaign, celebrities and sporting stars urged families to get involved by drawing up personal playlists for those living on their own or suffering dementia.

It comes as research shows music can soothe upsetting symptoms.

Today, more showbiz stars reveal the songs they would include on their own playlists.

John Swinney

First Minister John Swinney has The Jam classic Going Underground top of his list. “This track by my all-time favourite band was released in 1980 when I was 16,” he explained.

“It was an epic track and I must have really annoyed my parents by the number of times I played it at home.”

Next up for the politician is Runrig’s Going Home. “This song always makes me feel at peace and so close to Scotland,” he said.

And Amy Macdonald’s Let’s Start A Band also makes his list. “Amy is a fabulous singer and this is such a joyful anthem full of hope and creativity,” the FM explained.

Tam Cowan

BBC Scotland’s Off The Ball star Tam Cowan is a huge tunes fan, and his playlist has some eclectic numbers.

Tam said: “The Midges by Kenneth McKellar sums up my childhood school holidays. I can’t think of another song that sums up a Scottish summer any better than this.

“Shirley Bassey has to have an honourable mention and her singing When You Smile would cheer you up even if you were spending the Fair Fortnight at a B&B in Saltcoats. Impossible to listen to without smiling.

“And of course everyone knows how much I love Tony Christie. His Las Vegas is my all-time favourite holiday destination sung by my all-time favourite singer.”

Colin McCredie

Taggart actor Colin McCredie grew up in Perth and as a lifelong St Johnstone fan, he chose Feels Like Heaven by local band Fiction Factory.

He said: “I was 12 when that song came out in 1984. We were so proud we had a Perth band in the charts. They got to No. 6.

“It also reminds me of when St Johnstone won the Scottish Cup in 2014. That really did Feel Like Heaven because we’d waited 140 years to get that success.”

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Derek Johnstone

Prolific goalscorer, Rangers and Scotland legend Derek Johnstone really did have the world at his feet in 1978 when Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were fighting to sign him. Billy Joel’s classic My Life is his favourite.

Derek said: “I’d scored 38 goals, Rangers had just won the treble, and I’d been awarded the Football Writers Player of the Year award, the Players Player of the Year award, and Shoot magazine’s player of the year.

“I could have gone anywhere I wanted, but I stayed at Rangers and pals used to demand to know why.

“I used to answer them by signing Billy Joel’s song It’s My Life. I still sing it today. It sums everything up perfectly for me.”

Sally Howitt

Sally, who plays Scarlett O’Hara in River City, loved Feels Like I’m In Love so much, she named her soap daughter after singer Kelly Marie.

Written originally for Elvis by Mungo Jerry’s Ray Dorset, it made No. 1 in the charts for two weeks in 1980 and became an international dance hit.

Sally said: “It epitomises everything about being a teenager, falling in love for the first time, growing up with that sense of fun, freedom and excitement. It reminds me of trying to look older than 15 so I could get into the disco.

“I loved the video for that song, those two sailors dancing with Kelly Marie who looked beautiful. She was a girl from Paisley, having the time of her life as that song shot up the charts. I loved her so much; I even called my River City daughter Kelly Marie after her. I still play that song and dare anyone not to dance around the room.”

Colin Higgins

Stand-up comedian Colin Higgins has an eclectic taste. He said: “I love Your Song by Elton John as it was my go-to karaoke number.

Frankie Miller’s Be Good To Yourself and Caledonia have to be on my playlist along with More Than I Could Say by the Crickets.

“But being a true Scot, I do like a bit of melancholy. For that, you cannot beat Hurt by Johnny Cash. That is a song to wallow in when you are feeling sorry for yourself.”

Mark Walters

Former Rangers and Liverpool star Mark Walters loves Dear Mama by Tupac Shakur.

He said: “It tells the autobiographical story of his mother’s struggles in bringing him up, her addictions with drugs and how he was indebted to her for still doing her best for him despite horrendous circumstances.

“I could relate to it as my mother was a single parent and under extreme financial pressure, but she worked extremely hard to give us the best life she could. I love the song so much that I had it played mum’s funeral three years ago. It still brings tears to my eyes to this day.”

Alfie Conn

Former Scotland player Alfie Conn has Take Me Home, Country Roads by Olivia Newton-John on his playlist.

He said: “This was my late wife Sue’s party piece. She’d sing it at parties or in the pub and always did a brilliant job. I’d watch her sing it with all her heart and be so proud of her.