The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably remember all the words to
I just realised that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best song to play at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely 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 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 song I can no longer hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl 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
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
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 buried, I’ll have Way Down.
