The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a 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 Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can not hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
