The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The initial tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance 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 record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely know all the words to
I just realised that I have memorized virtually every word 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 gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

The music I’d like played at my funeral
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.