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The earliest tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably remember each line to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. 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 massive track.

The track I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

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