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The initial track I was captivated by
My earliest memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, 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 select a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by 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 do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely recite every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to play at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, 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 undeniable hit.

The song I can not bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.