The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The first track I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest 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 record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly know all the words to
I just realised that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to play at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can never listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The song I’d like played at my memorial service
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.
