The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial song I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “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 a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance 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 track I perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely know all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to put on at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can not listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
