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The first song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably recite each line to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized virtually 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 which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can never listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.