The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for 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 Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely recite every lyric to
I recently realised that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to put on at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can not bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
