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The earliest tune I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's 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 song I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to blast at a party
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can not hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The song that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

The song I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.