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The first track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I inexplicably know all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to put on at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the 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 the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can never hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The music I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.