The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently realised that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
