The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The initial track I was captivated by
My first memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly recite each line to
I just realised that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to play at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Zachary Underwood
Zachary Underwood

Escritora y crítica literaria con más de una década de experiencia, especializada en narrativa hispanoamericana.