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The first track I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I recently discovered that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to play at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, 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 dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

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