The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The earliest song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely recite every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to blast at a party
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can not listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

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