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The initial song I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose 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 Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly recite each line to
I recently discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to blast at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
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.