My Top Five Songs - Paul Archer
- Flex Admin
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
Paul Archer’s Five Favourite Songs
We sat down with Paul Archer following the release of ‘No Fear’ and his acclaimed debut solo album Art, to ask him to share five songs that shaped him. The list tells you everything you need to know.
By ‘Art’ on vinyl at: www.paularcherofficial.com
PHOTO BY DAN DONOVAN
‘Come In Alone’ - My Bloody Valentine
Archer describes lying head between speakers as a teenager while a parent walked in asking what on earth was wrong with the tape. “It was a wonderful moment,” he says, “and to this day this song gives me the most powerful and beautiful chills up my back.” He calls Loveless one of his favourite albums of all time — and flags ‘Come In Alone’ as the song he’d want played when he leaves this earth.
I remember countless times basking in the sonic emotion, beauty, noise and sheer awe of this song and the genius record it is from! I remember one particular day at home up in my bedroom when I was lying head between speakers and one of my parents came in exclaiming "Paul what are you doing? That sounds like a tape that is not playing at the right speed"! It was a wonderful moment and to this day this song gives me the most powerful and beautiful chills up my back! A sacred experience! Loveless remains one of my favourite albums of all time but I feel personally that this album is not only music it is something “other” also and it sounds new, as though it is my first time listening every time I listen?! A song I’d like played when I leave this earth.
‘Song to the Siren’ - This Mortal Coil
Heard in the front living room of his family home in Bangor, Co. Down, this one transported him entirely. He’s particular about the components: Liz Fraser’s voice, Tim Buckley’s melody and lyrics. “Profoundly beautiful” is his verdict, and it’s hard to argue.
I remember listening to this song when I lived with my family in Bangor Co.Down, N.Ireland in our front living room and feeling ecstatic and transported in those moments. Liz Frasers voice is profoundly beautiful and the melody and lyrics by Tim Buckley are so beautiful!
‘Amazing Grace’ - John Newton
Archer grew up on Gospel music — both parents sang and recorded it. This hymn, he says, remains “incredibly moving and powerful.” A song of deep love, compassion, and hope that clearly runs through the DNA of Art.
I was brought up on Gospel music and both of my parents sang and recorded Gospel music. This hymn I find incredibly moving and powerful. A song of deep love and compassion and such a powerful and beautiful melody and full of so much hope.
‘Into the Mystic’ - Van Morrison
A family connection runs deep here: his father played with Van Morrison and the families grew up on his records. Archer used to sing this one as a cover with his brother. The melody and lyrics, he says, are “stirring and thought-provoking.”
I used to sing a cover of this beautiful song with my brother and the melody and the lyrics are stirring and thought provoking. My father used to play with Van and they are still friends and we grew up on Van’s records.
‘What Goes On’ - The Velvet Underground
“They were my Beatles.” That line says it all. The groove, the drones, the sonic experimentation — Archer has carried the Velvets’ pioneering restlessness with him ever since the first time he heard them.
I love the groove and movement of this song and it has been one of my favourite songs since the first time I ever hear it. The Velvets music was so pioneering and so different. Those melodies and drones and all of that sonic experimentation has influenced so many. They were my Beatles.
