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The earliest track I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly remember each line to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best tune to put on at a soirée
It relies on what stage 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 evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, 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, Buddy Holly 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 electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.