The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The first tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly recite 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 every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to blast at a party
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably 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 hits its peak, 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 listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played 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 record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The track that makes me cry
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The music I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Willie Jimenez
Willie Jimenez

Urban journalist and city enthusiast with a passion for uncovering stories that shape modern metropolitan life.