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The earliest track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts 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 frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably recite 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 the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to blast at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.