🔗 Share this article

The first song I was captivated by
My earliest memory is entering a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. 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 pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely remember each line to
I recently realised that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can never hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl 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 The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
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.