Eddie Marsan's honest playlist

Actor Eddie Marsan recently shared his playlist of songs that are special to him. He talked about the first song he ever loved as a child. It was George Harrison's My Sweet Lord. He remembered hearing it one summer while his family was on holiday in a caravan on the Isle of Sheppey. He said the song's journey from a religious message to another felt beautiful.

The first single Marsan bought was Big Time by Rick James. He explained that he has always been addicted to two things: funk music and praise. Even at a young age, he loved funk music.

Marsan mentioned a song he can no longer listen to. It's from the musical Les Misérables. He said that when he was at drama school, many students liked it, but he found it annoying. He came from a background as an apprentice printer and felt it was very different from the people singing in the musical. He said that Les Misérables bothers him the most.

For parties, Marsan likes Candy by Cameo. He described it as a fun dance song that people can follow easily, even if they are not good dancers. He also shared his karaoke choice: I Just Want to Make Love to You by Etta James. He thinks it's a song you can sing or shout, especially if you’ve had a drink.

Interestingly, Marsan admitted to secretly liking Ain't No Pleasing You by Chas & Dave. He usually tries to appear sophisticated, but he believes this is one of the best British songs from the last 50 years. He also knows all the words to Elvis Presley's Guitar Man, a song he learned as a child.

When asked about music for making love, he suggested anything by Billie Holiday. However, he joked that if his wife plays Strange Fruit, it might be a problem. He also spoke about the song that changed his life: Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine by James Brown. He said that when he was younger and lacked confidence, especially with girls, this song helped him escape his own insecurities through dancing.

Marsan’s morning coffee is accompanied by For Me… Formidable by Charles Aznavour, which makes him feel cultured. A song that makes him cry is Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton. He heard it while being driven to a film set shortly after his first child was born. He realised the song's deep meaning about loss when he experienced the new emotions of parenthood.

Finally, the song he would like played at his funeral is Are You Havin’ Any Fun? by Tony Bennett and the Count Basie Orchestra.