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The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
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 opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely recite every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to put on at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

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

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

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.