The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The earliest song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose 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 chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely know all the words to
I just became aware 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 track to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never listen to
I strangely detest 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 just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
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.