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

The initial tune I became enamored with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly know every lyric to
I recently realised that I have memorized virtually 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 ideal song to put on at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The track I can not bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed 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 gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Troy Rocha
Troy Rocha

A blockchain enthusiast and gaming strategist with over 8 years of experience in cryptocurrency markets and decentralized applications.