The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The initial tune I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought 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 selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly remember all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to play at a party
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can never hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like to be 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.