The Police song Robert Downey Jr deems an all-time favourite
The son of filmmaker and actor Robert Downey Sr, Robert Downey Jr broke through into a prolific and celebrated acting career in the late 1980s. Downey Jr garnered widespread acclaim during this early period for his performances in popular movies like Less Than Zero, Chaplin and Natural Born Killers.
The Oppenheimer actor’s early years were full of promise, but as he approached the mid-1990s, personal struggles, including addiction and legal struggles, led to a precipitous decline in his career and public image. Despite these setbacks, the actor managed to steer the bow to calmer tides in the new millennium, this fresh start reaching its pinnacle with Downey Jr’s first outing as Tony Stark in 2008’s Iron Man.
In 2000, Robert Downey Jr faced a significant setback when he was dismissed from the television series Ally McBeal due to drug-related issues. This marked a low point in his career, prompting him to enrol in a court-mandated rehabilitation program. Admirably, Downey Jr has remained sober since 2003, demonstrating determination and a deep respect for his vocation.
Downey Jr’s career prospects were initially hindered by his chequered past; completion bond companies were unwilling to insure him for potential roles. However, his fortune changed when his friend and colleague Mel Gibson stepped in to support him.
Gibson generously covered Downey Jr’s insurance bond for the 2003 film The Singing Detective, allowing him to return to the big screen. While this act of kindness undoubtedly played a crucial role in rebuilding Downey Jr’s career, he was supported along the way by a deep passion for music.
In 2005, following the release of his first album, The Futurist, Downey Jr revealed his most cherished influences by compiling a playlist of favourite tracks for iTunes. The ten-song list included nurturing selections by Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Harry Nilsson, Phil Collins and more.
For his first selection, the actor and musician picked his favourite by the new wave band The Police. After noting that Sting was among the artists in his small CD collection in jail, Downey Jr picked out ‘Darkness’ from 1981’s Ghost in the Machine as a favourite. “It was, I think, a Stuart Copeland composition on the quintessential Police album — the lyrics, ‘I wish I never woke up this morning, life was easy when it was boring,'” he said, quoting a poignant lyric from the song.
Listen to ‘Darkness’ by The Police below.
