The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher 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 dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably remember all the words to
I recently realised that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David 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 massive track.
The track I can no longer listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album 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, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
