The first song I was captivated by
My first recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely know each line to
I not long ago realised that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to put on at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
