The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest track I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick 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 picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably remember each line to
I just realised that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David 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 massive track.
The track I can no longer hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The song 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.
