The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes

The first track I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings 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 mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly recite all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to blast at a party
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The track I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. 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.