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The initial track I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance 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 purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to blast at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can no longer hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley 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.