The Actor's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first track I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably know each line to
I just realised that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to put on at a party
It depends on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can not listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.