The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I became enamored with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably remember each line to
I not long ago realised that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can no longer listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The song I’d like performed 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.
