The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance 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 single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly know all the words to
I just discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to put on at a party
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, 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 powerful rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
