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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco 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 record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly recite every lyric to
I recently discovered that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to put on at a soirée
It relies on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can no longer hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The music I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.