The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first tune I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly remember all the words to
I recently realised that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to blast at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates 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 emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The music I’d like played 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.
