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The initial tune I fell in love with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly remember all the words to
I just 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 Paul Simon.

The ideal track to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played 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 vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The music I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.