FirstWord Cyndi Lauper

The 80s pop sensation, who’s sold over 30 million records worldwide, on why she’d play The Ramones at her funeral

First record you ever bought Meet the Beatles! First film you saw that really moved you Bambi.

Last lie you told I won’t be late.

First movie you ever went on a date to I think it was Annie Hall. I didn’t go on a date movie until late into my dating career.

Last time you cried This morning.

First thing you do when you’ve got time off work Get in my pyjamas. Last great meal you cooked I made chicken cutlet on arugula [rocket] and tomato for my son.

First crush John Lennon. Last book you read Life by Keith Richards.

First great piece of advice you were given Don’t take no for an answer. Last time you were star struck When I met [US gospel singer] Mavis Staples at the Grammys. I got to perform with her too. Wow.

First thing you’d do if you ran the country Legalise same sex marriage and make sure all children had free health care. Last meal on earth what would it be I’m trying not to think about food. I’m on a diet.

First song you’ll sing at karaoke ‘Green, green grass of home’. Last time you exploited your position to get something I asked for money for The True Colors Fund homeless youth initiative.

First time you realised you were famous On Hallowe’en the year She’s So Unusual came out, when girls were coming to my front door dressed like me.

Last time you made an impulse buy and regretted it Chocolate from my mini-bar in New Orleans when I played the jazz fest last weekend.

First three words your friends would use to describe you Loyal, honest and late. Last time you bought someone flowers My mother, for Mother’s Day.

Last crime you committed Can’t say my son may read this.

First object you’d save from your burning home My computer. award acceptance speech My husband and son.

Last person in the world you’d sleep with George W Bush. First song at your wedding I walked down the aisle to ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ and then Patti LaBelle sang ‘Come What May’.

Last song at your funeral ‘Life’s a Gas’ by Joey Ramone. First person you’d thank in an

Last thing you recommended to someone iPod touch. First thing you think of when you wake up in the morning My son.

Last thing you think of before you go to sleep My son. Cyndi Lauper plays the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Thu 23 Jun. cyndilauper.com

WeLike The things making our world just that little bit better

You've all seen that video of Arcade Fire performing 'My Heart is an Apple' at a Montreal house party in 2002 by now, right? (Get to bit.ly/arcfi02 if not.) Well, it seems there are bands lining up to create musical history in your living room. Our favourite nimble-fingered Glasgow guitarist, RM Hubbert, quite literally will play for food (see rmhubbert.com). On a related note, Edinburgh indie popsters (just don't call them twee)

We See Lights (pictured) recently raffled off a living room gig to attendees at their EP launch, which one Lister only went and flippin' won. We also celebrate midsummer this issue, and while other countries dance naked around bonfires (Scandinavia, naturally) and wallop their neighbours over the head with garlic (Portugal, it's good luck, apparently), in Scotland we must be content with the dubious practice of rubbing the dew from Arthur's Seat into our faces. Hmm.

RIGHT NOW ON list.co.uk

In addition to full Edinburgh International Film Festival listings and updated restaurant reviews from the 2011 edition of the Eating & Drinking Guide, you can sign up for any of the email newsletters we lovingly assemble every week to help you optimise your cultural intake. Yes, we are too nice . . .

2 THE LIST 26 May–23 Jun 2011