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The first tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new record 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 bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly remember each line to
I recently realised that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to blast at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, 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 the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

The track I’d like to be played 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.