The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest song I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I recently realised that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to play at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The number I can not listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The music I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
