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The first track I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly recite every lyric to
I recently realised that I have memorized 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 best tune to play 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 work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, 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 placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The song I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.