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

The initial song I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco 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 single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one 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 karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I recently discovered that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to blast at a party
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.

Robert Smith
Robert Smith

A wellness coach and writer passionate about mindfulness and sustainable living, sharing experiences to inspire positive change.