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The first song I fell in love with
My first recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely remember all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to put on at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, 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 detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, 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. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

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