🔗 Share this article

The initial song I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely recite all the words to
I just discovered that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect tune to blast at a party
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The song that gets me emotional
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The song I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.