The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes

The first track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by 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 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 tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely know all the words to
I just became aware that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to blast at a party
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can no longer listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

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 laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.