The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. 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 tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely remember all the words to
I just realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to blast at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can not bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
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.
