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The first song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know every lyric to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best tune to play at a soirée
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can no longer hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The song I’d like 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.