The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely recite all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to blast at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
