The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The first tune I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly know each line to
I just realised that I can recall pretty much 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 tune to play at a party
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and 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 massive track.
The track I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
