The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes

The first track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know each line to
I recently realised that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best song to play at a party
It relies on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The song that brings me to tears
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The track I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.