The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest song I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: āFull speed ahead!ā When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: āThis must be music!ā
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, Iād go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know every lyric to
I just discovered that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to put on at a soirƩe
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, Iād work through Prince, the Rolling 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 number I can no longer hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, Iād only listen to classic rock ānāroll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. 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 dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
Whatād I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The track Iād like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If Iām cremated, Iāll have Burning Love. If Iām laid to rest in the ground, Iāll have Way Down.