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The first song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably remember all the words to
I recently discovered that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to play at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The music 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 laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.