The Actor's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes

The first tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: ā€œFull speed ahead!ā€ When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: ā€œThis must be music!ā€

The inaugural record I acquired
When I was eight years old, 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 chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I oddly know each line to
I recently realised that I know almost 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 blast at a party
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The song I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, 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 high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

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

Derek Romero IV
Derek Romero IV

A cybersecurity specialist with over 10 years of experience in IT infrastructure and data protection.