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The initial song I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. 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 song I do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely recite all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to blast at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. 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 no longer listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

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