The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently became aware that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to play at a party
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
