The Actor's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes

The earliest tune I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money 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 selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

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

The track I strangely recite all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling 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 not listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

The track I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.