The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first song I became enamored with
My first recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first record I acquired
When I was eight, 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 allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know every lyric to
I just discovered that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to play at a party
It depends on the point of the evening 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 the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like 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.
