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The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out 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 music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely recite all the words to
I just became aware that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

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

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

The song I’d like performed 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.