The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first tune I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher 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 Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely recite every lyric to
I just realised that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to play at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and 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 undeniable hit.
The track I can no longer bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.