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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently became aware that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to put on 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 evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can no longer hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.