The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first track I was captivated by
My first recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “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 years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly remember each line to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to play at a party
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
