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The earliest song I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into 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 refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased 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 selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

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

The perfect song to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can not hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

The music I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.