The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely remember every lyric to
I just discovered that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to blast at a gathering
It relies on which phase 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 night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can never listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, 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 electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
