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The earliest song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. 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 sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly know each line to
I recently became aware that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to blast at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can not hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The track that brings me to tears
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.