The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 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 do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely know each line to
I recently realised that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to put on at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely 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 gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.