The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly recite every lyric to
I just became aware that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can no longer hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.