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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance 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 dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly recite each line to
I recently discovered that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to blast at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, 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 number I can never listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

The track 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.