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The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it 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 discovered that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that brings me to tears
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

The music I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.