The initial song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to put on at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
