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The initial tune I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl 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 the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance 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 chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I just realised that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to blast at a soirée
It depends on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can never bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.