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The initial track I was captivated by
My first recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased 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 mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently discovered that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to blast at a soirée
It hinges 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 night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he placed 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 Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.