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The initial song I became enamored with
My first recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco 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 purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly know every lyric to
I recently realised that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to put on at a party
It hinges on what stage of the party 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 the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.