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The first tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by 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 topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly recite each line to
I just discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to put on at a party
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably 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 Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can no longer hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

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