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The earliest tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record 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 Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently discovered that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal tune to put on at a soirée
It relies on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into 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 undeniable hit.

The track I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The song I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.