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The initial song I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for 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 music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to blast at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through 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 the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The music I’d like performed 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.