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The first tune I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased 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 selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to play at a soirée
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can never bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

The song I’d like performed 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.