The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I was captivated by
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely know all the words to
I not long ago realised that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to play at a party
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can never bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.