The Actor's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions

The initial tune I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I just discovered that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to put on at a party
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can never hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Anthony Duncan
Anthony Duncan

Tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring how innovation shapes our world, sharing insights on digital transformation and AI advancements.