The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first track I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely remember all the words to
I recently realised that I know almost every word 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 gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
