The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first song I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I just discovered that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to put on at a party
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David 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 absolute banger.
The song I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.