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The initial song I was captivated by
My first memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely remember every lyric to
I recently realised that I can recall almost 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 party
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that brings me to tears
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

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