🔗 Share this article

The earliest track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’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 the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.