The Actor's Candid Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes

The earliest track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance 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 mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly recite every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to put on at a party
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into 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 the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can not hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The track that gets me emotional
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Sharon Golden
Sharon Golden

Elena is a seasoned engineer with over a decade of experience in smart manufacturing and industrial automation.