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The earliest track I fell in love with
My first recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know each line to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall almost 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 perfect song to put on at a soirée
It relies on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, 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 powerful rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The song that wakes me 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 emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.