The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest song I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably remember each line to
I recently discovered that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put 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 gets me emotional
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.