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The initial song I fell in love with
My earliest memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly recite each line to
I not long ago 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 tune to put on at a party
It relies on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the 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 bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly 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 dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
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.