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The earliest tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. 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 Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably remember each line to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually the entire lyrical content 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 hinges on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.