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The first track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to blast at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can not hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning 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, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.