The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance 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 allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably remember each line to
I recently realised that I can recall almost 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 ideal tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can never bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record 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 fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
