The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know each line to
I recently realised that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through 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 massive track.
The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. 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.