Comedian Katherine Ryan has shared her personal playlist, naming songs that marked her childhood, moved her to tears and that she would like played at her funeral.

Early influences

Ryan said her first favourite songs came from her mother, who sang and danced to divas such as Madonna and Paula Abdul while cooking and cleaning. Ryan said Madonna's Material Girl made her think: "This is who I want to be."

Her first single purchase was three records bought at the same time: Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette, a Sheryl Crow single and Waterfalls by TLC. She bought them from Sam the Record Man in Sarnia, Ontario, with money she had saved from doing chores. Her uncle often introduced her to Canadian music.

Karaoke, parties and musicals

At karaoke, she usually sings Son of a Preacher Man. She joked that karaoke is the quickest way to tell people you are an attention-seeking alcoholic, so she tries to avoid it.

She says she knows every lyric to Give Me a Wine and to the score of Hamilton, although she has seen the musical only twice. For parties, she recommends early-2000s hip-hop or R&B, such as Gasolina by Daddy Yankee.

Songs with personal meaning

Ryan said she can no longer listen to What I Am by Will.i.am with Sesame Street. She said it makes her cry because it gives young children positive affirmations, and it leaves her worried that they need Sesame Street and Will.i.am to tell them they are special.

She said she secretly likes songs she claims to dislike. She admits to loving every Spice Girls track and says she would play Wannabe anytime, anywhere.

Asked about music for sex, Ryan said: "I'm not someone who has sex to music. I like uncomfortable silence." If she had to choose, she picked Let Me Love You by Mario.

The song that changed her life is The Chanukah Song and Ode to My Car by Adam Sandler. She said she was about 11 or 12 when she first realised comedy could be made from music and from difficult subjects. She listened to his album repeatedly.

Each morning, she says, she plays Currently, I'm So Happy by Ms Rachel, because she has many small children at home and admires the message of the song.

The song that makes her cry is Water Runs Dry by Boyz II Men. She wanted to use it in The Duchess. Although it is about a romantic partner, she said she thinks of her daughter growing up whenever she hears it.

Her funeral song, she said, would be Thong Song by Sisqó.

Katherine Ryan has partnered with meal-subscription service Gousto.