The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The first track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a 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 the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely recite each line to
I recently became aware that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to blast at a party
It depends on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can not hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.