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The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is entering a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money 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 a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely recite every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to put on at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can not bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, 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 AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.