The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The first tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly recite all the words to
I just realised that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to put on at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can not listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early 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 childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The music 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.
