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The first track I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably recite all the words 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 song to play at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.