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The first song I was captivated by
My first recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for 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 record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I just discovered 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 Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to put on at a party
It depends on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into 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 the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The track I’d like performed 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.