The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions

The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely recite each line to
I recently realised that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can not hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

The track I’d like 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.