The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest track I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl 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 Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably know all the words to
I not long ago realised that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to play at a soirée
It relies on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like played 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.
