The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently became aware that I have memorized 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 track to put on at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can not bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
