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The first track I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose 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 number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely recite every lyric to
I not long ago realised 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 best song to play at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can no longer listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, 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 rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The song I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.