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The first song I became enamored with
My first recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store 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 track I perform at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly recite each line to
I not long ago realised that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can never hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

The track I’d like played at my final send-off
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.