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The first tune I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

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

The song I oddly know each line to
I just discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to put on at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can no longer hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.