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The first track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly know each line to
I just realised that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to put on at a party
It depends on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can not bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, 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 guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

The song I’d like to be 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.