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The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to play at a party
It depends on the point of the evening 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 Rolling 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 undeniable hit.

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

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

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The track I’d like to be played 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.