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The earliest song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings 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 a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely recite all the words to
I just realised that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

The music I’d like performed at my funeral
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.