Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer reveals his favourite song from student days

Sir Keir Starmer names indie band The Wedding Present's track as his top tune

Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has revealed his favourite song from his days as a student at Leeds University in the mid-80s. The anthem of choice? My Favourite Dress by the Leeds indie band The Wedding Present.

An angst-filled portrayal of jealousy and betrayal

Describing the song as a three-minute distillation of torment, Sir Keir explained that My Favourite Dress perfectly captures the agonising feelings of jealousy. The lyrics, penned by David Gedge, the band's frontman and a friend of Sir Keir's from their university days, resonated with the Labour leader.

"The guitar hook is pretty great too"

Sir Keir also expressed his appreciation for the guitar hook in the song, emphasizing its catchy and memorable nature.

A beloved hit on the BBC

Released in 1987, My Favourite Dress was once a favorite of influential BBC DJ John Peel. With lyrics like "The tender caress that brings out the man. I can't still be drunk at five. Oh, I guess I surely can," Gedge's raw and emotional vocals struck a chord with listeners.

A bittersweet ending

The song concludes on a melancholic note, with Gedge singing about a drunken encounter that ends with a stranger's hand on his favourite dress. The powerful combination of heartfelt lyrics and the band's signature sound made the track a standout.

Whether you attended university in the 80s or not, Sir Keir Starmer's endorsement is sure to introduce a new audience to The Wedding Present's My Favourite Dress, a song that encapsulates the complex emotions of youth, jealousy, and heartbreak in just three minutes.