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The earliest track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably know each line to
I recently realised that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to put on at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, 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 bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like played 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.