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The earliest tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by 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 cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably remember each line to
I just realised 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 ideal tune to blast at a party
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into 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 massive track.

The number I can not listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The track 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.