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The first tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance 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 Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly know each line to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to play at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event 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 work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The track I can never listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.