The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose 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 music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely remember every lyric to
I just realised that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to blast at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can no longer listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.