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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased 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 selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely recite all the words to
I recently became aware that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The track I can no longer bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord 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 laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.