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The initial song I was captivated by
My first memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money 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 father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

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

The track I inexplicably know each line to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to play at a party
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can not listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

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