The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance 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 dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely recite every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized 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 song to blast at a party
It depends on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.
