The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for 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 Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to put on at a party
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and 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 song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by 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 powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.