The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The first track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably know all the words to
I recently discovered that I have memorized virtually 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 perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The track I can not bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The piece that makes me cry
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

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