The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select 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 the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly recite every lyric to
I recently became aware that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to play at a party
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can not bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like to be played 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.