The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick 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 purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store 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 frankly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely remember all the words to
I recently discovered that I have memorized 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 track to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, 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 Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can never hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
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.
