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The earliest song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought 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 selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely know each line to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to put on at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can not hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

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 buried, I’ll have Way Down.