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The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher 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 Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly remember each line to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to put on at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to 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 massive track.

The number I can not bear
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 changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.