🔗 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 spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely remember each line to
I recently discovered that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to put on at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.