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The earliest track I was captivated by
My earliest memory is entering a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new record 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 single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely recite all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to play at a party
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

The song I’d like played 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.