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The initial track I was captivated by
My most primal memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. 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 Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently became aware that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to play at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can not listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

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