The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money 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 one of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently discovered that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best song to put on at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
