The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions

The initial track I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party 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 single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely remember each line to
I recently became aware that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to play at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley 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.