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The initial tune I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased 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 noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

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

The track I inexplicably know each line to
I just realised that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to blast at a party
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can not bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.