The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest song I fell in love with
My most primal memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance 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 pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly recite all the words to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized 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 ideal tune to put on at a soirée
It depends 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 Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The track I’d like to be played 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.