The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I oddly recite every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder 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 motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
