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The first tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
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 strangely remember each line to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best tune to play at a soirée
It depends on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

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