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

The first song I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: ā€œFull speed ahead!ā€ When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: ā€œThis must be music!ā€

The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely know all the words to
I just discovered that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to put on at a party
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and 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 song I can not bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. 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. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like to be 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.

Nathan Stephens
Nathan Stephens

A seasoned casino streamer and reviewer with a passion for live gaming and sharing expert strategies.