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The first song I fell in love with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely recite all the words to
I just became aware 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 tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through 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 Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can no longer bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

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 buried, I’ll have Way Down.