The Actor's Revealing Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first song I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably know each line to
I recently became aware that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to put on at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can not hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The music 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 laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.