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The first track I was captivated by
My most primal memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for 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 number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely remember all the words to
I just became aware that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The track that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The track I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.