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The first tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl 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 record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely recite each line to
I just became aware that I have memorized 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 best tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and 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 never hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter 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 dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The song 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 buried, I’ll have Way Down.