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The earliest track I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably know every lyric 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 the legendary songwriter.

The best song to play at a party
It depends on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can never bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.