The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand 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 recite every lyric to
I just realised that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to play at a party
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The number I can never bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
