The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely know all the words to
I recently realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to play at a party
It depends on the point of the event 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 transition into the Artist, 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 Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can never bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The track I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. 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.
