The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably know each line to
I recently discovered that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to blast at a party
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.