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The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money 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 one of the Beatles.

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

The track I strangely remember every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to blast at a party
It relies on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, 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 the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can not hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The song that gets me emotional
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

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