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The first tune I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record 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 the group Darts. The first single I purchased 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 selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely know every lyric to
I recently realised that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to blast at a party
It depends on the point of the party 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 transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can not listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

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