The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably know each line to
I recently became aware that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to blast at a party
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can never listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
