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The first song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings 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 father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably remember each line to
I not long ago became aware that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, 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 absolute banger.

The song I can not listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

The song I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.