The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first track I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely remember every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to play at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can not listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
