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The initial track I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I recently became aware that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to play at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.