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The first song I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly recite all the words to
I recently became aware that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to put on at a party
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and 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 absolute banger.

The song I can not bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

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