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The initial song I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably remember all the words to
I just became aware that I have memorized 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 track to blast at a party
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, 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 rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.