The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose 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 record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely know every lyric to
I not long ago 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 perfect tune to blast at a party
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and 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 listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
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.
