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The earliest song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely know all the words to
I recently discovered that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to blast at a party
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.