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

The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings 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 father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to put on at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can not bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

The song I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. 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.