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

The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by 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 one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely recite each line to
I recently became aware that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to blast at a party
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The track I can not hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.