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The initial tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely remember every lyric to
I just became aware that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to blast at a party
It relies on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, 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 electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment 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 gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

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