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The earliest song I fell in love with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely remember every lyric to
I just discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to put on at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can not listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.