The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes

The first track I was captivated by
My first recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I inexplicably recite all the words to
I just realised that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to put on at a party
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can not bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, 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. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

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

Ashlee Webb
Ashlee Webb

A seasoned angler with over 15 years of experience in freshwater and saltwater fishing, passionate about sharing practical tips.