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

The first song I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings 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 chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know each line to
I not long ago became aware that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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 play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

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