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The first tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely remember 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 each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to blast at a party
It relies on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can not hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to 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 captivated.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.