The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts 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 do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly remember each line to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to play at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, 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 the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The track I can not bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
