The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The first track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly recite every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The number I can no longer bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.