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The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance 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 one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely 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 hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The track I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.