The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first track I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to put on at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling 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 track I can never listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly 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 music. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
