The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings 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 father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I do at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably know every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to put on at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can not bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like played 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.
