The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I was captivated by
My first memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly know every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to play at a gathering
It relies on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can not hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly 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 ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
