The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The initial song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I do at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid 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 just realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to blast at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the 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 absolute banger.
The track I can no longer hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The music I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.