The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, 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 music store 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 sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely know every lyric to
I just realised that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to play at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the 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 bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, 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 guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
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.
