The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The first track I was captivated by
My earliest memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know every lyric to
I just discovered that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event 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 transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The track I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
