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The first song I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I recently became aware that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. 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.