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The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely remember each line to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to play at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can never hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

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