The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I oddly remember each line to
I not long ago realised that I know 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 best track to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The track 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.
