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The initial song I was captivated by
My earliest memory is entering a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I honestly 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 track I oddly remember all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to put on at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The song that gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
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.