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The initial song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at kindergarten 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 recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

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

The song I strangely recite every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to blast at a party
It depends on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can not hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s 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 brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

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