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

The earliest track I fell in love with
My first memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: ā€œFull speed ahead!ā€ When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: ā€œThis must be music!ā€

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose 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 music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly recite each line to
I recently discovered that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to play at a gathering
It relies on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that gets me emotional
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.

The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.

Tony Wong
Tony Wong

A certified gemologist with over 15 years of experience in diamond grading and international gem markets, specializing in rare stone authentication.