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The initial tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best tune to put on at a party
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

The song I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.