The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely know each line to
I just became aware that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best song to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, 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 listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’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 played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.
The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
