The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes

The initial song I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad 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 dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly remember all the words to
I just became aware that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to put on at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.