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The first song I became enamored with
My first memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
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 teacher took me to a local store, and I chose 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 music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I know almost every word 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 gathering
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

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

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

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