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The first song I became enamored with
My most primal 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 arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the small dance 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 purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely remember each line to
I not long ago realised 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 Paul Simon.

The best tune to play at a soirée
It relies on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can no longer bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.