The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely know each line to
I recently realised that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to put on at a party
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can not bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
