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The earliest song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I just discovered that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It depends 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 night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The music I’d like 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.