The Actor's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first track I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “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 won 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 Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into 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 the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can never listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
