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The initial song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized virtually 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 put on at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to 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 song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
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.