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The earliest track I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group 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 one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely remember each line to
I recently became aware that I know almost 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 perfect track to play at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.