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The earliest song I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a 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 bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know each line to
I just became aware that I know pretty much 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 song to play at a party
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 move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, 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 guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.