The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party 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 single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly recite each line to
I not long ago realised that I can recall almost every word 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 party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, 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 high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
