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The earliest track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely know all the words to
I just discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to play at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.