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

The initial track I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly recite every lyric to
I just became aware that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to blast at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, 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 electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

The music I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Jasmine Leonard
Jasmine Leonard

A digital media strategist with over a decade of experience in streaming technology and content analysis.