🔗 Share this article

The initial song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly recite each line to
I not long ago realised that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect tune to play at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.