The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly recite every lyric to
I recently discovered that I can recall virtually 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 ideal tune to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The track I’d like performed 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.
