SIMON Cowell has revealed his own personal musical tastes – and they’d make anyone on Social Security feel right at home.
Turns out the “Mr. Nasty” of “American Idol” prefers Frank Sinatra and Wayne Newton to Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard.
Yesterday, on British radio’s long-running program, “Desert Island Discs,” Simon let it be known that his iPod is practically hand-cranked. The idea of the program is for famous people to choose the eight favorite records they would take with them if they were stranded alone on an island.
Simon’s first choice: Bobby Darin’s “Mack the Knife, which he calls “the best song ever made.”
Herb Alpert’s “This Guy’s in Love With You” is also on the list because it’s “the sexiest song ever.”
He described French singer Charles Aznavour’s “She” as “one of the most beautiful songs of all time.”
The only song on the list recorded after Richard Nixon was in the White House was “If You’re Not the One” by Daniel Bedingfield, a British singer-songwriter who is not a household name on the this side of the Atlantic. (His sister, Natasha, is known here for her hit “Unwritten.”)
Simon tipped off his strong feelings for the old stuff last season when he suggested that Katharine McPhee sing Judy Garland’s signature song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” in the “Idol” competition. The song has since been released as a single.
“Desert Island Discs” is one of Britain’s oldest and most popular radio shows, dating back to World War II. It is based on the idea that listeners can learn a lot about famous people from the music they hold dearest.
Among the program’s guests in the past were George Clooney (“Moondance” by Van Morrison), Kim Cattrall (“To Turn You On” by Roxy Music) and John Malkovich (“Still D.R.E.” by Dr. Dre).
Cowell said he’d like to take one more thing with him if forced to live alone on a deserted island – a mirror.
“Because I’d miss me.” he told the interviewer.
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Simon’s ‘Desert Island Disc’ picks
Bobby Darin – “Mack the Knife”
Herb Alpert – “This Guy’s in Love With You”
Charles Aznavour – “She”
Righteous Brothers – “Unchained Melody”
Wayne Newton – “Danke Schoen”
Daniel Bedingfield – “If You’re Not the One”
Sammy Davis Jr. – “Mr. Bojangles”
Frank Sinatra – “Summer Wind”
