The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest track I was captivated by
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 John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I just realised that I can recall 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 play at a party
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can not listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
All music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.