The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is entering a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. 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 tune I do at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I recently became aware that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to put on at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into 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 number I can not bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, 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 music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.