The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes

The first track I was captivated by
My first recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably recite each line to
I just realised that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to play at a party
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can never bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The song I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Aaron Harrington
Aaron Harrington

A seasoned gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK online casinos and slot machine trends.