The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest track I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably remember each line to
I just realised that I have memorized virtually 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 perfect track to put on at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, 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 Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can not bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round 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 placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
