The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions

The initial song I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “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, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly recite all the words to
I just discovered that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to put on at a party
It relies on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can never bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

The track 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.

Christopher Kramer
Christopher Kramer

A full-stack developer and tech writer with over 8 years of experience in building scalable web applications and mentoring aspiring coders.