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The initial track I was captivated by
My most primal memory is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out 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 No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably know every lyric 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 best song to play at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, 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 bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon 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 electrifying rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The music 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.