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The earliest track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently became aware that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to play at a party
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, 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 undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
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.