It was about Eric Clapton performing in Pyongyang.

'Can you imagine - Clapton playing Cocaine in North Korea?' proclaimed James Dorsey, a 32-year-old London stockbroker, as Clapton's Bad Love played overhead. 'Of all the crazy things out there, this has got to be up there.'

Added 29-year-old accountant Abby Wheeler: 'Who knew Kim Jong Il was a rock fan? Well, at least the North Korean government is into decent music.'

The New York Philharmonic Orchestra may have a similar take on things after its historic performance in Pyongyang last week. It was the largest group of Americans to visit it since the Korean War.

Its musicians aren't used to being an opening act. Having to play second fiddle to anyone would come as a surprise to music director Lorin Maazel. Yet a visit by Clapton, who has been invited to play in Pyongyang next year, would raise the bar.

It's a reach to say rock 'n' roll will be instrumental in talks over Kim's nuclear programmes. Yet it's amazing to think that Slowhand will be rocking a place where such music is banned. Few influences are more Western than the sounds of guitar gods like Clapton. Diplomats see the overture as a sign that North Korea wants to build cultural bridges with the West, and maybe more.

As Clapton ponders his Pyongyang set list, one wonders which tunes the 62-year-old won't be allowed to play. After all, China wouldn't let the Rolling Stones perform Brown Sugar, Beast Of Burden, Let's Spend The Night Together or Honky Tonk Woman in 2006. Rapper Jay-Z wasn't allowed to perform in Shanghai last year.

For all their control-freak tendencies, Chinese officials aren't nearly as paranoid as North Korean leader Kim. So let's think aloud about how he may view Clapton's back catalogue.

First, the songs Kim might not want to hear in Pyongyang:

I Feel Free: Well, I certainly feel free, Kim might be thinking. Not that he'd want his 23 million people feeling liberated. Then again, Kim could spin the song as an anti-American tirade - as in it's good to feel free from George W. Bush.

Change The World: Change the world? The communist leader might ask himself. What?!?!?! To hell with that!

I Shot The Sheriff: Kim wouldn't want his impoverished masses getting any such ideas in their heads. He's the only sheriff north of the 38th parallel. And there's no doubt that, in his mind, there won't be any shooting at the man who commands the fifth-largest standing army.

My Father's Eyes: While giant portraits of Kim are found throughout North Korea, many concert-goers last week wore badges with a portrait of his father: Kim Il Sung. From Korea's founding until his death in 1994, Kim Il Sung was called Great Leader. It's quite a legacy to live up to North Korea's 'Forever Man'. Would Kim want to be seen as looking through daddy's eyes?

Let It Grow, Peaches And Diesel: It's never good to remind millions of what they can't get their hands on. Here, Clapton might also be banned from playing Let It Grow, which some might take as a political statement about the dismal economy or a reference to the nation's lack of agricultural prowess.

Knockin' On Heaven's Door: The debate about which son will replace Kim, 67, rages on amid reports of failing health. One thing's certain: The odds are stacked against the son who was arrested in Japan in 2001. He's the Einstein who tried to visit Tokyo Disneyland on a Dominican Republic passport.

Now for the songs Kim might like to hear:

Bell Bottom Blues: Kim isn't a man distracted by the latest fashion trends. With his khaki jumpsuit and bouffant hair-do, he makes Fidel Castro seem downright dapper. Kim may welcome an ode to fashions from a more sepia-toned time, comforting him that he looks Wonderful Tonight.

I Can't Stand It: The spirit of this Clapton ditty was captured by the South Park guys in their 2004 film Team America. It's still hard for me to think of the Dear Leader without picturing him singing I'm So Lonely.

Layla: Kim may find special meaning in the 'you've got me on my knees' line. That's where he has his population and, arguably, the Bush administration, which has bungled the North Korea issue. It could make for the perfect encore in Pyongyang.

There's just one downside here: The song is reportedly also on Bush's iPod. Talk about shuffle diplomacy.

Bloomberg