The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The initial song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly recite all the words to
I just realised that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to blast 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 Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can not bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The music I’d like to be played 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.