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The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly know each line to
I just discovered that I can recall virtually 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 play at a party
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 party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can never listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The track I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.