The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first tune I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely recite all the words to
I recently discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to put on at a party
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can not bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The song 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.
