The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out 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 Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly remember each line to
I just realised that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to put on at a soirée
It hinges on what stage 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 Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The number I can no longer bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The track I’d like to be played 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.