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The earliest track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to play at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can no longer hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.