The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's 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 do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely recite each line to
I recently realised that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to put on at a gathering
It relies on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.
