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The first tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out 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 Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably remember all the words to
I recently realised that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to put on at a party
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can no longer listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.