The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The initial track I was captivated by
My first recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at 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 Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly recite all the words to
I not long ago realised that I know almost 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 play at a party
It depends on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. 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 buried, I’ll have Way Down.