The Actor's Candid Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes

The earliest track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly know every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall 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 ideal track to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David 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 track I can not hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

The music 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.

Nathan Smith
Nathan Smith

Data scientist with over a decade of experience in transforming raw data into actionable business insights across multiple industries.