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The initial song I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco 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 allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly recite every lyric to
I just discovered 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 perfect song to blast at a party
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most 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 hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can not bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

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