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The initial tune I was captivated by
My most primal memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record 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 Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's 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 perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably remember each line to
I just realised 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 best tune to blast at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can never bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The track I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.