The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition 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 bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably know each line to
I recently became aware that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to put on at a party
It relies on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can not hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
