The Actor's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest song I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently became aware that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to play at a party
It depends on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to 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 song I can not listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
