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The first song I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely remember all the words to
I recently became aware that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to blast at a party
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can not hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that brings me to tears
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.