🔗 Share this article

The initial tune I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely remember every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to play at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, 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 track I can no longer bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

The song I’d like to be played 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.