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The earliest track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest 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 Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by 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 one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly remember all the words to
I just realised 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 the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to put on at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, 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 high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that gets me emotional
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.