The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably remember all the words to
I just realised that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can not listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The music I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
