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The first track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly recite all the words to
I recently became aware that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to put on at a soirée
It depends on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the 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 song I can not hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. 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.