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The earliest song 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 captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I recently discovered that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to play at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The track I can no longer hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The track that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
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.