🔗 Share this article

The initial tune I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely recite each line to
I recently realised that I have memorized almost 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 track to blast at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can not hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The song I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.