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The initial tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely remember each line to
I recently 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 Paul Simon.

The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David 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 number I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The piece that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The song I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.