Paul van Dyk is nothing short of a dance music legend.
Born in East Berlin before the wall came down, he gained his musical education via forbidden Western radio stations and smuggled mixtapes. A succession of successful remixes and DJing appearances coincided with the rise of trance culture in the late 90s and Paul quickly became a pioneer for the movement. Since then, he has thrilled millions of clubbers the world over with epic sets and new tracks of his own.
We caught up with Paul to find out his Ultimate Playlist - read on to discover his hugely varied musical tastes and some stories behind the tracks.
Listen to the playlist on Spotify
Paul van Dyk headlines Gatecrasher's 2020 event at The Warehouse, Donington Park on the 19th October. 2012
Full line up tickets via www.gatecrasher.com
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Favourite sad song
‘Hurt’ by Johnny Cash... It’s the ultimate sad song... It’s not just about losing love, or a best friend. It’s about losing yourself.
Favourite movie soundtrack song
Nico Mulhy’s The Egg, from The Reader soundtrack... In fact the whole soundtrack is a work of art. An absolute masterpiece! So emotive…
Favourite song from your childhood
Half A Person by The Smiths... When I was a kid, I was a massive Smiths fan. I didn’t speak English, so I didn’t know what they were singing about, but I felt they were a very special band.
Favourite club anthem
I think my track Time Of Our Lives. It was the first track I wrote together with my best friend Johnny McDaid. Whenever I play it, it is not just capturing that moment, but also (for me) brings back the very moment when we wrote the song.
Favourite one-hit wonder
Feels Like Heaven by Fiction Factory... It just brings back so many memories... My Mum used to listen to it all the time. It rubbed off and back then became my favourite too.
Favourite song that no-one else has heard of
Pur’s Abenteuerland. Pur are a German band that are generally considered uncool... I don’t care about that... This song is one of the most amazing German rock/pop songs ever, with lyrics that are full of fantasy and evocation.
Favourite lyric from a song
Depeche Mode’s Somebody because it’s does not get any better then this...
I want somebody to share/Share the rest of my life/Share my innermost thoughts/Know my intimate details
I want somebody who cares/For me passionately/With every thought/With every breath
It’s the ultimate plea to be happy
Favourite song from your own music
They are all equally important and each one done with the same passion. To choose would be like asking a mother to choose which was her favourite child. I just cannot do it!
(We'll pick our favourite then...)