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

The first track I was captivated by
My most primal memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher 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 Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I recently discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to play at a party
It relies on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. 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 the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can not listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The song that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

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