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The first track I was captivated by
My first recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to put on at a party
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

The track I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.