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The earliest song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly remember every lyric to
I just realised that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to put on at a party
It depends on what stage of the event 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 work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.