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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to put on at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, 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 undeniable hit.

The number I can never bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

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