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The initial track I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably remember all the words to
I recently became aware that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to blast at a party
It hinges on the point of the evening 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 transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can never hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

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