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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely know every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to put on at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

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

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

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

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