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

The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely know each line to
I recently realised that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best tune to blast at a party
It relies on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and 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 massive track.

The number I can no longer listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. 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 wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Patrick Irwin
Patrick Irwin

A seasoned tech strategist with over 15 years in IT consulting, specializing in cloud solutions and digital innovation.