The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest track I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out 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 if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably know all the words to
I recently realised that I know 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 track to put on at a party
It relies on the point of the event 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 Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can not bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The track I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
