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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

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

The song I strangely remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to blast at a party
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can no longer listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The song I’d like played at my funeral
The King. 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.