The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest song I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased 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 dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely recite all the words to
I recently became aware that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
