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The initial tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely know all the words to
I just became aware that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to blast at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can never listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

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