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The first song I fell in love with
My most primal memory is walking into a space 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 got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely recite each line to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal tune to put on at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

The music I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.