The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly remember all the words to
I just realised that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to play at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely 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 gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to have sex 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 six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.