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

The first song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, 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 Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

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

The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I just discovered that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to play at a party
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

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

The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
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.