The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The initial tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely know each line to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to play at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, 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 Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
