The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first song I was captivated by
My first recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to play at a party
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to 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 massive track.
The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
