The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to play at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The number I can not hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, 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 the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The music I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
