The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, 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 a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely remember each line to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to play at a soirée
It relies 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 evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David 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 song I can not bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
