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The first track I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select 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 the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely recite every lyric to
I recently realised that I can recall pretty much 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 song to put on at a soirée
It depends on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling 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 undeniable hit.

The track I can no longer bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

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