The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I became enamored with
My first memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably recite all the words to
I recently became aware 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 the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to put on at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can no longer hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
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.
