The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently realised 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 ideal song to play at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, 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 the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can no longer listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
