The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly remember each line to
I not long ago realised that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage 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 Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can never bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
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.
