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The first track I became enamored with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, 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 Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely recite all the words to
I recently realised that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect tune to put on at a party
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, 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 Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can never bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.