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The first tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I purchased
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 a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to blast at a party
It hinges on which phase 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 party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

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