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The earliest song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely remember all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to blast at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can not hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

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