The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one 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 karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know each line to
I just realised that I can recall virtually every word 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 party
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, 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 massive track.
The song I can no longer listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, 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 high voltage rock music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
