Darius World

My Mates Call Me "The Fish"

Smash Hits 13 - 16 November 2002

Darius takes us on a trip down memory lane and names the songs that made him the man he is today.

When Darius Danesh got a haircut, notched up a No 1 single and re-launched himself as a heart-throb, we all breathed a sigh of relief. Now more love god than laughing stock, Big D has ben linked with various beauties including Lady Isabelle Hervey (the posh "it" girl). His debut album hits the shelves next month and, after spending weeks in Los Angeles recording tracks with top-notch producers, Darius is happy and relaxed. We caught up with him for a cosy chat about The Birdie Song, Walking In The Air, Tubthumping and other classics that he holds close to his heart today.

The song that makes me smile... Supergrass' Alright is a huge summer anthem for me. There were so many great guitar bands abut when I was at university. All Saints' Never Ever is one, too. it reminds me of chilling out in Edinburgh. It was the kind of song we'd put on when we'd finished exams...or split up with a girl.

The song that makes me cringe... Well of course there's a certain Britney song, but I laugh about it now. But when I was at school the most cringeworthy track was the Birdie Song. They always played it at the end of school discos but I never danced. I would just stand agape at the sight of everyone else running around like headless chickens.

A tune that makes me cry... The theme from The Snowman (Aled Jones' Walking In The Air). That song makes me cry every time I hear it. I remember watching the film when I was about six and I was really upset when The Snowman died.

I always think of my family when I hear... We Are Family by Sister Sledge. When I was younger we used to drive everywhere on holiday and sing along to this song. it reminds me of the summer we drove through Europe. I ahven't been away with my family for ages but we might get away at Christmas.

The song that makes me sick... Tubthumping by Chumbawamba - I hate that song, it makes me feel ill. I dont have a song that reminds me of being sick after a night out because I've got a high tolerance for alcohol. In fact my mates call me The fish. At college I learned that I'd win drinking games easily if I drank milk before I went out.

The song that makes me feel horny... Just A Little by Liberty X. The opening line says it all. "Sexy, everything about you is so sexy." Being sexy is a state of mind. It doesn't matter what you look like. I also love Hero by Enrique Iglesias. I'm romantic and I like to take my dates to italian restaurants. If a girl doesn't like Italian food, I'm not interested.

A song that makes me feel like dancing... No Diggity by Blackstreet - I can't help myself when that coes on. At the moment I lovetracks like Nelly's Hot In Here or Livin' It Up by Ja Rule. I've never tried to make up my own dance routine for a song, but I can do the Macarena really well - it's fun after a few drinks.

A son that reminds me of my first love... Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer. I used to compose songs when I was younger and wrote my first song when I was 13. I played it to a girl on the last day of school - I got cold feet so she pulled me into a cupboard. Then she got emotional and kissed me. A week later she was going out with my best mate. My love song skills weren't so good back then.

The song that always reminds me of going to school... I was in a band at schhool and we did covers of Alanis Morrisette songs and Wonderwall by Oasis. They were defining songs of my school days. I could be hard working at school when I wanted to be, but unfortunately I skived most of the time.

My favourite Karaoke song... (in a cockney voice) "I love you bay-by and if its quite all right I need you bay-by." It's called Can't Take My Eyes off of You by Andy Williams. I'm also a big fan of New York, New York by Frank sinatra. At the end of a party you just have to grab a microphone and shout the lyrics out with all your mates.