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

The earliest song I was captivated by
My earliest memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I inexplicably remember all the words to
I just realised that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to put on at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the event 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 move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, 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 song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.