The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely recite all the words to
I recently realised that I have memorized pretty much 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 soirée
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can not listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
