🔗 Share this article

The initial song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

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

The song I inexplicably know each line to
I recently discovered that I know almost 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 perfect tune to play at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that makes me cry
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

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