The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings 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 selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely recite every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to put on at a party
It relies on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can not bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like 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.