The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes

The earliest tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably remember each line to
I just realised that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to play at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The music I’d like played at my funeral
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.