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The earliest track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly know every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to put on at a party
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the 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 never hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to 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 record on the record player, I was hooked.

The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.