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The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly recite each line to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics 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 soirée
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

The music I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.