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The first track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance 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 dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably remember all the words to
I not long ago realised that I know 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 perfect track to play at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning 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 David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put 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 gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.