The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first tune I became enamored with
My first memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at karaoke
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 oddly recite each line 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 blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and 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 absolute banger.
The track I can never listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon 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 powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The music I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
