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The first song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, 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 a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably remember each line to
I recently discovered that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to play at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the party 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 move on to Prince, the Stones and David 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 undeniable hit.

The track I can no longer hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The track I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.