The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions

The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I just realised that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to blast at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can never bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.