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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely recite each line to
I not long ago realised that I know 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 best song to blast at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, 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 Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The piece that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.