The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose 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 music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely recite every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling 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 Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can not listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
