The Actor's Revealing Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store 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 song I sing at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly remember all the words to
I recently realised that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to blast at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can never hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
