The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes

The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased 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 noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely know every lyric to
I recently realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal tune to play at a party
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can not hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

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

Rebecca Johnson
Rebecca Johnson

A tech writer passionate about AI and emerging technologies, sharing insights from years of industry experience.