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The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely remember every lyric to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to put on at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and 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 massive track.

The number I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

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