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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money 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 pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

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

The track I oddly recite every lyric to
I recently became aware that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to blast at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The track 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 laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.