🔗 Share this article

The first tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably know all the words to
I recently became aware that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to put on at a gathering
It relies on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the 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 undeniable hit.

The number I can not hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

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