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The first track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely know all the words to
I recently became aware that I have memorized 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 perfect tune to put on at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, 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 ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The track that gets me emotional
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.