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The first song I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand 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 savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop 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 sing at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to put on at a party
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.