The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest song I fell in love with
My first memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly remember all the words to
I not long ago realised that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to blast at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the event 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 work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.