The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly recite every lyric to
I just realised that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to blast at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can not bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
