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The earliest tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, 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 music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I just realised that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to blast at a party
It depends on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into 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 the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can no longer bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The track I’d like played 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.