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The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to play at a party
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably 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 really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. 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.