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The earliest song I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand 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 the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts 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 perform at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly recite all the words to
I recently became aware that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The song that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

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