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The first track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly recite all the words to
I just 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 best song to blast at a soirée
It relies on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number 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 LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed 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 song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.