The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably remember all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to put on at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
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.
