The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled 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 record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably remember each line to
I recently realised that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to put on at a party
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can never hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like to be 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.
