The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly know each line to
I recently discovered that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to blast at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the 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 massive track.
The track I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.