The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly know each line to
I recently realised that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track 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 tune and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The song I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
