The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly remember all the words to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal song to put on at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to 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 Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can not hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
