The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I was captivated by
My first memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely remember each line to
I not long ago realised that I can recall pretty much 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 track to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David 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 track I can no longer listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
