The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by 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 tune I perform at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably know each line to
I recently realised that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to play at a gathering
It depends on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can not bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure 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 cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
