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The first tune I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect tune to blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling 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 undeniable hit.

The track I can not listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

The track I’d like played 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.