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Jade has been making waves in pop music ever since she released her debut solo album, That’s Showbiz Baby! last fall — but what is on her playlist these days?
Ahead of her showstopping performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Sunday, August 2, we asked the Little Mix alum (full name: Jade Thirlwall) to look back at the songs that have shaped her life, from childhood to today.
From Gladys Knight and Diana Ross to the Backstreet Boys, the singer’s musical influences are as wide-ranging as they are iconic.
Keep scrolling for Make Us a Mixtape — Jade’s edition:
Jade performing at Lollapalooza Alana Swaringen
Song That Reminds Her of Childhood
There’s a song by Gladys Knight called “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” I think I’m a bit of an old soul, and I grew up listening to a lot of Motown. And this song in particular, I remember even from a young age, really moved me, and I didn’t even really understand what it was about. But I would really be in my feels listening to it.
Gladys Knight performing in London, circa 1977 Andrew Putler/Redferns/Getty Images
I think Gladys Knight is such a phenomenal artist and really has a way of pouring so much emotion into her vocal. And “Help Me Make It Through the Night” is a beautifully tragic song. I actually think when I look at my music now, as an artist, I do think I pull a lot from those artists that can evoke so much emotion with their music.
Song She Puts on When She Needs a Good Cry
“Another Lifetime” by NAO. She’s a phenomenal artist from the U.K. Everyone should check out her music. She’s honestly one of my favorites.
Nao performing in London in 2019 Joseph Okpako/WireImage
“Another Lifetime” is just … it doesn’t matter where I am, what I’m in the mood for, if I put that song on, I probably will cry. It’s such a beautiful song about things not working out in this lifetime and waiting for the next one. And her voice is so phenomenal.
When I first heard her sing, I thought it was a tuned or pitched vocal, but it’s actually just her vocal. And she’s got such a unique voice. That song in particular is so unique and is probably one of my favorite songs of all time.
Song That Reminds Her of Her First Crush
Probably a Backstreet Boys song. I’m gonna go with “Shape of My Heart.” My favorite Backstreet Boys song is “Everybody,” just because I was gagged at the music video. I love dressing up. I love Halloween, so I love that video.
Backstreet Boys circa 1995 Tim Roney/Getty Images
Backstreet Boys in general just reminds me of that time in my life when I was so little and I started having crushes on boy band members and putting their posters up in my room and getting all in my feels when I listen to their love songs. So I’d say any sort of Backstreet Boys discography reminds me of that time.
A Song People Might Be Surprised She Loves
The Streets, “Dry Your Eyes.” I think people would be surprised because it’s maybe not a genre you would associate me with. But I grew up listening to a lot of The Streets. I think as I grew up in a very sort of northern working class household, I feel like The Streets just always reminded me of my brother or my dad.
The Streets performing at Reading Festival in 2004 Louise Wilson/Getty Images
“Dry Your Eyes” is a song in particular that really made me think about what it’s like for blokes who are heartbroken. It just made me really relate and have a bit more empathy for guys. And I think “Dry Your Eyes” is a phenomenal song. It’s very emotive. It’s so raw and real.
A Song By One of Her Idols That Always Inspires Her
Diana Ross, “The Boss.” [It’s] from a disco era, which I adore. I feel like Disco Diana is one of my favorite Dianas, and “The Boss” is hugely inspiring for me.
Diana Ross performing in Illinois in 1982 Paul Natkin/Getty Images
The lyrics are, “Love taught me who was the boss,” and I love that there’s a very dramatic introduction. It changes tempo a little. For me as a recording artist and songwriter, I found that really inspiring with songs like “Angel of My Dreams,” and the idea that a song doesn’t have to just stay in one place for the whole time. You can chop and change, or pick it up, or change tempo. Diana Ross in general is my ultimate idol, and “The Boss” is in my top three.
One of Her Songs She Gets Most Excited to Play
“It Girl.” It’s the first song in my set, so I get myself really pumped and hyped up. I literally run on stage for “It Girl,” and I feel like part of that is a creative choice, but also it’s to help me get rid of my nerves. I feel like if I just run on stage, then I just have to get on with it, no matter how nervous I am.
Jade performing at Lollapalooza Alana Swaringen
“It Girl” is such a bolshy, in your face song, so I love starting the show with that, and it does tend to get people going, even if they don’t necessarily know it.
The other song I’m so excited to perform is “Angel in My Dreams.” I feel like that’s probably the one people in the audience are going to know the most. “Angel” will always be so special to me. It’s my first single. It changed everything for me in my solo career, and it means the world to me.
When I see people in the audience singing it back and swaying their arms and getting into it, I know it’s cheesy, but there really is no better feeling than that high.
