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The initial tune I fell in love with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record 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 selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

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

The song I oddly recite all the words to
I recently realised that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can not bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.