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The initial tune I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I just discovered that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, 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. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The music I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.