The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The initial track I was captivated by
My first memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop 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 track I perform at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly remember all the words to
I just discovered that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the party 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 move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The number I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.