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The earliest track I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to put on at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, 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 Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.