The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first track I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly remember all the words to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to blast at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can no longer hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
