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The earliest song I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings 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 noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely recite every lyric to
I just discovered that I know almost every word 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 gathering
It depends on the point 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 night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, 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 guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The track that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like performed 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.