The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest song I fell in love with
My first memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick 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 Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I recently discovered that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to play at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can no longer listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
