The Actor's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely know every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to play at a party
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
