The Actor's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest song I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought 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 noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably recite all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized 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 tune to play at a party
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can no longer listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
