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The first tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick 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 Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

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

The piece I oddly remember each line to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall virtually 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 tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, 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 electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

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