The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first tune I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly know all the words to
I just discovered that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to put on at a party
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can not bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
