The Actor's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions

The initial track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely know each line to
I just realised that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to play at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Michael Espinoza
Michael Espinoza

Maya is a tech enthusiast and lifestyle writer with over a decade of experience in reviewing high-end products and sharing practical insights.