🔗 Share this article

The first song I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I just realised that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal tune to blast at a party
It hinges on which phase 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 work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David 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 massive track.

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

The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

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