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

The earliest track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can never listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

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