🔗 Share this article

The first tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
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 Woolworths, and I chose 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 No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely know every lyric to
I just 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 best tune to put on at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors 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 Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can no longer bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

The song I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.