The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I recently realised that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to play at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can not listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, 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 the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The music I’d like played 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.
