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The earliest tune I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I recently realised that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to put on at a party
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

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.