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The initial tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor 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 record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

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

The track I oddly recite every lyric to
I recently became aware that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to put on at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, 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 strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

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