The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely know each line to
I recently became aware that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best track to play at a party
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.