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The earliest song I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely remember all the words to
I recently realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to play at a party
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and 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 no longer hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, 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 high voltage rock music. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The song that gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The music I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.