The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 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 mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely remember each line to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to put on at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can no longer bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve 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, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like performed 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.