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The earliest tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely remember 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 perfect track to play at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

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

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

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The track I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.