The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “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 Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, 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 No 1 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 honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly remember all the words to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to play at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can no longer bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
