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

The first tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance 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 selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

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

The track I strangely remember each line to
I recently discovered that I can recall virtually 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 tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to 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 not hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

The song I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.