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The first song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably remember each line to
I just realised that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to blast at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can never bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

The music I’d like to be 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.