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The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money 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 chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably remember all the words to
I just realised that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to put on at a party
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can not hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

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