The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly remember each line to
I recently discovered that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to put on at a soirée
It relies on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can not listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
