The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The initial track I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money 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 dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know each line to
I just realised that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to play at a gathering
It depends on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and 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 track I can not bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
