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The earliest track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I just realised that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to put on at a gathering
It relies on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, 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 the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can no longer listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

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