The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The initial song I fell in love with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly remember each line to
I not long ago realised that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to blast at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David 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 massive track.
The song I can not listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.