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The first tune I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely remember all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to blast at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can never hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The music I’d like played at my final send-off
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.