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The initial song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I just realised that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album 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 The King, 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 music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.