The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased 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 one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I just became aware that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to play at a soirée
It depends on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can not listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
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.
