The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly remember every lyric to
I just discovered that I have memorized pretty much every word 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 gathering
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
