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The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to put on at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning 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 Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.