The Actor's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The first tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely recite all the words to
I just discovered that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the event 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 transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can not listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.