The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions

The initial track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, 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 record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song 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 track I strangely remember all the words to
I not long ago realised that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to play at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on 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 rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

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