The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first track I became enamored with
My first recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly know every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to blast at a party
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that wakes me 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 touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
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.
