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

The first song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select 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 bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably remember all the words to
I not long ago realised that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to play at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling 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 absolute banger.

The number I can never bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, 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 electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.