Cillian Murphy’s Favourite Song and the Spirit It Captures
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Fresh off his Oscar-winning turn as J. Robert Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy’s status as one of cinema’s most compelling figures shows no signs of dimming. The Cork-born actor has long been admired for his chameleonic performances, but equally telling is his instinctive cultural taste — the kind that quietly shapes trends, from the sharp-edged Peaky Blinders haircut to the eclectic selections of his BBC Radio 6 show.
When asked by New Zealand winery Two Paddocks to name his favourite song of all time, Murphy didn’t hesitate. While many might agonise over narrowing a lifetime of listening down to a single track, he answered with the same quiet conviction that defines his screen presence: “Man of the World” by Fleetwood Mac.
A Song Rooted in Duality
Written by the band’s original leader, the late Peter Green, Man of the World arrived in 1969 — years before Fleetwood Mac’s California reinvention with Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks made them global superstars. It’s a song of contradictions: a tender, wistful ballad about having everything one could wish for, yet still feeling incomplete.
Green’s playing is at once delicate and arresting, his guitar tone widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in rock history. Beneath its melancholy, there’s an undercurrent of warmth — an ode to friendship and shared joy that resonates even through its sadness.
Murphy captures this blend perfectly when he describes the track as embodying “energy, positivity, arrogance, youth,” adding, “I’ve always loved early Fleetwood Mac before Peter Green left. I love his guitar playing and his voice.”
More Than a Favourite — A Reflection
Choosing Man of the World says as much about Murphy as it does about the song. His career has often been defined by roles steeped in quiet intensity — characters who carry layers of light and shadow. Much like Green’s lyrics, Murphy’s best performances balance confidence with vulnerability, projecting charisma without losing humanity.
It’s not hard to imagine why he’s drawn to a track that feels timeless yet fleeting, confident yet yearning. In a way, Man of the World mirrors the essence of Murphy’s own screen presence: understated but unforgettable, grounded yet untouchable — a reminder that sometimes the most powerful energy is the one that hums just beneath the surface.
