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The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased 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 pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly know each line to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to blast at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the party 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 the Artist, the Rolling 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 massive track.

The song I can never listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The track I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.