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The initial song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select 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 bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely remember each line to
I just realised that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to blast at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

The song 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 laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.