The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, 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 music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably know all the words to
I recently became aware that I know virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to play at a soirée
It relies on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The number I can never listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, 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 high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
