Desert Island Discs: Tom Rutland

A sneak peak into the soul of the man behind all those emails you never read.


This week we are lucky to be given an insight into the top tunes of Tom Rutland, an ex-PPE student from Jesus.

Having been JCR president last year, he has climbed the slippery pole of OUSU and is now the Union’s President.

Tom & his team listening to the Climb

He told The Cherwell earlier this year that his role consists of being “lead representative of all students in Oxford to the University” and that it is apparently “extremely rewarding and important”.

Apparently.

No, we don’t really know what he does either, but he is a fan of Miley Cyrus…

 

Search For The Hero – M People

Tom says: “I was brought up listening to the M People as a child and this has definitely been a song that has stayed with me as one of those uplifting numbers when times are challenging!”

 

This Is Your Life – The Killers

Tom says: “I’ve always loved The Killers and have seen them live twice, and seeing them live definitely made me appreciate songs that weren’t necessarily their biggest hits.”

“Plus choosing Mr Brightside would have been a bit bland and predictable.”

 

The Adventure – Angels & Airwaves

Tom says: “This song has one of the most epic openings ever, and builds and builds until a huge crescendo and then launches into the song proper. ‘Space rock’ is a kinda cool name for a genre.”

 

Sweet Pompeii – Bastille

Tom says: “A mix of two of my favourite songs and artists – Bastille’s Pompeii mashed up with Florence & The Machine + Calvin Harris’ Sweet Nothing – and does an incredible job of it.”

 

For the First Time – The Script

Tom says: “All the good and bad of a relationship in one song.”

 

The Climb – Miley Cyrus

Tom says: “Massive tune with a lot of history for my uni friends and I. Keep the faith.”

 

Every Teardrop is a Waterfall – Coldplay

Tom says: “Saw Coldplay live in 2012 and they finished with this one from their Mylo Xyloto album – it’s so cheerful and bouncy and never fails to put me in a good mood.”

“Truly incredible when you’re in a packed stadium in the dark with thousands of different coloured light bands flashing in the air from people’s arms!”