The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely know each line to
I not long ago discovered that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to put on at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most 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 really kicks off, 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 never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
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 buried, I’ll have Way Down.
