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The first tune I was captivated by
My first memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store 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 tune I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably remember each line to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to play at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can no longer bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

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