The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record 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 single I purchased with my own pocket money 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 father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely remember all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to put on at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can never hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
