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The earliest tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

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

The song I strangely remember every lyric to
I just became aware that I know 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 tune to blast at a party
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

The music 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.