The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably remember each line to
I recently realised that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into 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 number I can not bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
