The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought 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 pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely know every lyric to
I just became aware that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to put on at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
