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The first track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely know each line to
I recently realised that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to play at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon 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 high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The track that gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

The music 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.