The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely recite all the words to
I just discovered that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to play at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can not listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
