The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes

The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned 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 under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely know all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to put on at a soirée
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 Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

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