The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I not long ago realised that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to blast at a party
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can never bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.