The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first track I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I oddly remember all the words to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to put on at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can not listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The song I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.