The Actor's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I fell in love with
My earliest memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's 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 track I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably know each line to
I just became aware that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to put on at a party
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
