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The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably remember each line 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 ideal tune to put on at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

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

The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The song I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. 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.