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The initial tune I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance 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 pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly know every lyric to
I recently realised that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect tune to play at a party
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, 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 absolute banger.

The track I can never bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

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