The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions

The initial tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly recite each line to
I just realised that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to play at a soirée
It relies on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can not hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder 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 record player, I was captivated.

The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that makes me cry
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like played at my memorial service
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.