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The earliest track I became enamored with
My first recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for 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 Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly recite every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to put on at a party
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can not hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The song I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.