The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably know each line to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to blast at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly 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 powerful rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
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 buried, I’ll have Way Down.
