By the sleepy lagoon: Administrator Desert Island Discs

A while back we imagined the excitement which would be caused if we instigated Vice-Chancellors’ Desert Island Discs and speculated on the top tracks likely to prove most popular with university chief executives who found themselves in the perhaps unusual position of being cast away to a wholly isolated location with no friends.

The idea, of course, was pinched from the long-running radio show of the same name in which guests are able to choose eight recordings plus a book to go alongside the Bible and the Complete Works of Shakespeare and not forgetting some form of luxury item. There are many books to choose from such as this handy reading list  (although it is hard to imagine anyone not wanting to take this one).

As far as I am aware, although at least half a dozen VCs have been among the thousands of desert island castaways, there has never been a university administrator or Registrar on the show. Perhaps there never will be but if it were ever to happen, which songs might be the most appropriate choices? Here are some suggestions:

Sit right down and write myself a letter – Frank Sinatra
It only takes a minute – Take That
We’ve got a file on you – Blur
The logical song – Supertramp
Art for art’s sake – 10cc
There’s always something there to remind me – Sandie Shaw
I’ve been to a marvellous party – The Divine Comedy
Smooth operator – Sade
Autonomy – Buzzcocks
Get it right next time – Gerry Rafferty
I love it when you call – The Feeling
We could send letters – Aztec Camera
Sign your name -Terence Trent D’Arby

Minute by minute – The Doobie Brothers
What have I done to deserve this? – Pet Shop Boys
She blinded me with science – Thomas Dolby
Why are people grudgeful? – The Fall
Our lips are sealed – Fun Boy Three
Living in the past – Jethro Tull
Don’t you forget about me – Simple Minds

What others would you propose? And what luxury might be suitable for the stranded administrator or Registrar?