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

The earliest song I became enamored with
My first recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance 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 father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly know each line to
I not long ago became aware that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to blast at a party
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can no longer hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.

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

Leonard Key
Leonard Key

Maya Chen is a seasoned journalist and analyst with over a decade of experience covering global affairs and emerging technologies.