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The first song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall 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 play at a soirée
It hinges on the point 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 the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The track I can not bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to 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 record player, I was captivated.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

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 laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.