The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first tune I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts 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 do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly recite all the words to
I just became aware that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to blast at a party
It relies on what stage 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 absolute banger.
The track I can never hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
