The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first track I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor 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 pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly remember all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall pretty much 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 put on at a soirée
It relies on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can never bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song 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
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. 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.
