The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The first tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably know each line to
I just realised that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to play at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, 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 hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon 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. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
