The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The earliest track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record 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 single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably remember all the words to
I just realised that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to blast at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most 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 really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can never listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, 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 piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

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 laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.