The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose 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 Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably recite each line to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best tune to put on at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
