The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely remember every lyric to
I not long ago became aware 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 best song to put on at a party
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The music 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.
