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The initial tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is entering a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
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 Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know each line to
I recently became aware that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, 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 the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can never bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

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