The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly recite each line 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 each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to blast at a party
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can not listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The song I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
