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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly know every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the event 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 work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The track I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.