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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely know all the words to
I just realised that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best tune to blast at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling 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 Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can never listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.