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The first song I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. 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 song I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly know every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to blast at a soirée
It hinges on which phase 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 party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, 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 bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

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