The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently became aware that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to put on at a party
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, 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 massive track.
The song I can not listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, 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 AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
