The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The initial tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably recite each line to
I just realised that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into 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 the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
