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

The earliest track I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

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

The song I strangely remember all the words to
I not long ago realised that I can recall pretty much 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 put on at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can no longer hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The song I’d like performed 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.

Colleen Parker
Colleen Parker

A gaming enthusiast and industry analyst with over a decade of experience in casino entertainment and digital gaming trends.