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The earliest song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly remember every lyric to
I just realised that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to play at a party
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can not hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.