The Actor's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly remember each line to
I just became aware that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to play at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can not hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The music I’d like to be played 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.