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The first track I was captivated by
My most primal memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I just realised that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to play at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.