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The earliest song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely know all the words to
I recently realised that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to blast at a party
It relies on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can never bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

The song I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.