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The initial tune I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly recite every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to put on at a party
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can not listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The song I’d like to be 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.