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

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

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

The song I strangely remember each line to
I just discovered that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to blast at a party
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The track I’d like performed 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.