The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions

The first track I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. 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 allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy 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 recite all the words to
I just discovered that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to play at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can not hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The song 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.