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The earliest tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

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

The song I oddly remember every lyric to
I just became aware that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to play at a party
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.