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The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party 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 Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I recently discovered that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can not bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.