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The first tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record 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 Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely know each line to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to put on at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can no longer hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

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