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The initial tune I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. 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 track I do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely remember each line to
I not long ago realised that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to put on at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can not hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like performed 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.