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

The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor 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 Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly recite every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to put on at a gathering
It depends on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David 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 massive track.

The track I can not bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that brings me to tears
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The track I’d like played 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.