🔗 Share this article

The earliest track I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco 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 Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly recite all the words to
I recently became aware that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.