The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco 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 single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. 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 Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can not listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
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.
