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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know every lyric to
I just discovered that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to blast at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the 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 massive track.

The number I can not bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

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