The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest track I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely remember all the words to
I recently realised that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to blast at a party
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can not hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The song I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
