The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes

The earliest tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance 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 dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do 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 every lyric to
I just discovered that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best tune to play at a party
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.