The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's 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 sing at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly remember all the words to
I just became aware that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to play at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and 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 absolute banger.
The track I can not bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.
The track I’d like played at my memorial service
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.
