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The earliest song I was captivated by
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one 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 frankly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to play at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can no longer bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The piece that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.