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The initial tune I fell in love with
My earliest memory is entering a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record 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 single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts 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 honestly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably know every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to play at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely 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 Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The track I can not listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. 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. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

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