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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall almost 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 tune to play at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he placed the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The track that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.