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The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably remember all the words to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.