The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably know all the words to
I just realised that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling 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 massive track.
The number I can never listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played 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 put the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The music I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
