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The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.