The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions

The first tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely recite all the words to
I not long ago realised that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to put on at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that motivates me 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, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The music I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.