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The initial song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly know each line to
I recently became aware that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to put on at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start 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 Rolling 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 massive track.

The number I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. 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.