The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first song I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. 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 pocket money 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 father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably know each line to
I just discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to blast at a party
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can no longer hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
