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The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I know virtually 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 blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.