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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought 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 dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably know all the words to
I recently realised that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to play at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can no longer hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.