The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions

The first song I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money 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 dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to put on at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can no longer listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.