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Interviews

Jennifer Lawrence on Her Musical Loves, From the Spice Girls to Black Keys

Jennifer Lawrence / Photo by Benny Horne

The Oscar-nominated actress, who stars as the teenage huntress Katniss Everdeen in this month’s much-anticipated adaptation of The Hunger Games, reveals the soundtrack to her life.

Do you recall the first album you bought with your own money?

I think it was the first Spice Girls CD. It was my everything. I would come home from school every day and play it as loud as I could. My room was right next to my brother’s, so it drove him nuts. Then he told me about this really cool trick that involved taking a pin and scraping the underside of the CD. I’ve never forgiven him for it. I don’t even give him Christmas presents.

Who would you like to portray in a biopic?

I love Joni Mitchell. I heard Blue when I was 19 or 20 and I thought it was the most beautiful album in the world. She’s an interesting character. I hear she’s not very nice, which would be really fun to play.

When you were growing up in Kentucky, did your parents object to anything you listened to?

No. I liked the Beatles. And Queen. “Another One Bites the Dust” was my favorite song.

Of your Hunger Games costars, who had the best taste in music?

Josh [Hutcherson] introduced me to dubstep, which I hadn’t even heard of before. He started playing Skrillex and Bassnectar. It made my brain short-circuit in this great way. I would’ve never thought that I’d like that, but I loved it.

Do you recall your first concert?

Yes — 98 Degrees. I was, like, 11. I went with my mom’s friend’s older daughter. I think I just wanted to go to a concert.

What song would you want played at your funeral?

I had an idea, but I can’t do it now because it was in Love Actually. There’s a funeral and they play [the Bay City Rollers’ version of] “Bye Bye Baby.” Hopefully, by the time I die, nobody will remember Love Actually and they’ll be like, “Oh my God, what an original idea.”

What was the last concert you attended?

My list of concerts isn’t impressive because I keep missing them for work. Like, the Black Keys are my favorite band. When you listen to them, anything you’re doing feels cooler: If you’re running, you’re a cool runner. I was going to see them in London but couldn’t because I was getting my hair dyed for X-Men: First Class. It was miserable.

What were you listening to the first time you smoked pot?

I so cannot answer that question. I’m in a franchise.

Name a song that has helped you over a breakup?

One time I was upset and I didn’t want to cry in my car because then everyone stares at you. And “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child came on and made me feel so much better.

If you were to curate a festival, who would be on the bill?

The Black Keys, obviously. And Mumford & Sons. They’re a timeless band. I missed them, too, when I was in North Carolina. Yet I made it to that 98 Degrees concert.