The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes

The earliest track I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. 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 pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
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 know all the words to
I just realised that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, 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 Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. 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.