The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly 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 piece I inexplicably know all the words to
I not long ago realised that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to play at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The track 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 laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
