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The first song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I just discovered that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to play at a gathering
It relies on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and 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 song I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The song I’d like played at my funeral
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.