The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest track I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “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 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 Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know each line to
I just became aware that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to play at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the 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 massive track.
The song I can no longer hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, 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 ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
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.