The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly remember all the words to
I recently discovered that I have memorized 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 track to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can never listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The music I’d like played 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.
