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The initial song I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know each line to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to play at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can no longer hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The song 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 laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.