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The initial tune I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group 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 Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely recite all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to play at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can not bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The track that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The song I’d like performed 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.