The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first song I fell in love with
My first memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single 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 sing at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know each line to
I recently became aware that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to play at a soirée
It depends on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can not bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
