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The earliest track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly recite all the words to
I just became aware that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to put on at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

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

The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, 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 rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.