The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely recite every lyric to
I just realised that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to play at a gathering
It depends on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can not hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
