The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to put on at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can not hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.