The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The initial track I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance 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 noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly know each line to
I just realised that I have memorized 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 ideal track to put on at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can not bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.
The music I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
