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The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record 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 Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely recite each line to
I not long ago became aware that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to put on at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can never bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The piece that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.