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The first song I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a 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 allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. 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 track I perform at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely remember all the words to
I recently discovered that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to put on at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can never listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

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