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The earliest song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly remember each line to
I recently realised that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to put on at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can not listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The track I’d like 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.