The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly remember all the words to
I just became aware that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to put on at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like performed 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.
