The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes

The earliest track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably know each line to
I just discovered that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can no longer listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

The track I’d like played at my final send-off
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.