The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The earliest track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I strangely know every lyric to
I just became aware that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to blast at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

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

David Pena
David Pena

Elara is a seasoned gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering esports and game development trends.