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The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor 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 savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly know all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized pretty much 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 tune to blast at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

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

The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

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 Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

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.