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The initial song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, 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 teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. 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 track I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably know each line to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to play at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.