The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The initial track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly remember all the words to
I not long ago realised that I can recall virtually 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 best tune to play at a soirée
It relies on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, 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 Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.

David Fletcher
David Fletcher

A seasoned lifestyle writer with over a decade of experience in luxury markets, sharing insights on elegance and refinement.