The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party 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 topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely know all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to put on at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can never listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic 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 childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
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.
