Some time 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.

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?

I have done a list of these before but it seemed about time for an update to take account of others’ contributions too. 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
You Love Us – Manic Street Preachers (no irony intended there I am sure in Simon Meacher’s suggestion)
I’ve been to a marvellous party – The Divine Comedy
Smooth operator – Sade
Autonomy – Buzzcocks

Making Your Mind Up – Buck’s Fizz (entertainingly suggested by Michelle Morgan)
Get it right next time – Gerry Rafferty
I love it when you call – The Feeling
Rules and Regulations – Rufus Wainwright (thanks to Anonymous Academic for that one)
We could send letters – Aztec Camera
Sign your name -Terence Trent D’Arby
You can’t always get what you want – the Rolling Stones (suggested by Alex Usher)
Minute by minute – The Doobie Brothers
What have I done to deserve this? – Pet Shop Boys
It’s Not Me – Supergrass (one from Phil Taylor)
Message in a Bottle – The Police (thank you Maureen Mc)
She blinded me with science – Thomas Dolby
Why are people grudgeful? – The Fall
We Can Work It Out – The Beatles (another Phil Taylor pick)

Regulate – Warren G and Nate Dogg (this one from Graham Slater – I can’t believe we left it off the first list)
Record Collection – Kaiser Chiefs (again from Graham Slater)
Our lips are sealed – Fun Boy Three
Living in the past – Jethro Tull
Don’t Ask Me Why – Billy Joel (thanks again Phil Taylor)
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? (Laura Davies has suggested a shredder, presumably solar-powered, might be ideal.)