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The initial tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
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 Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

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

The best track to play at a party
It depends on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.