The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably remember each line to
I just realised that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best song to blast at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to make love 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 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, 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 guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The music I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
