The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably remember each line to
I just realised that I can recall almost 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 best tune to put on at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David 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 number I can never hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.