Cillian Murphy shares his favourite song by The Strokes
Music ran through his bones long before Cillian Murphy was considered Hollywood royalty. During his younger years, he performed as a singer and guitarist in various bands, with one of his gigs leading to his encounter with his future wife in the mid-1990s. The most notable among these bands was The Sons of Mr Green Genes, a group Murphy formed with his brother Páidi.
While Murphy’s active involvement in gigs has ceased, music still holds significant importance in the actor’s life. During an interview with the Sunday Independent Life Magazine, he said: “The only extravagant thing about my lifestyle is my stereo system, buying music and going to gigs.”
Naturally, given his deep knowledge of music, Murphy’s preferences are diverse. While hosting on the alternative station BBC Radio 6, his musical interests extend beyond classic rock. Embracing a spectrum from early synth-pop by Christine and the Queens to the work of fellow Irish artist Van Morrison, Murphy frequently incorporates a broad range of music recommendations into his interviews and radio shows.
Of course, being into rock naturally makes you more susceptible to exploring indie music, so it’s no surprise that Murphy discovered The Strokes during their initial prominence in the early 2000s with their debut, Is This It. At the turn of the millennium, amid a perceived decline in guitar music, The Strokes and this particular album contributed to them being hailed as saviours of the genre.
Nestled perfectly within the heart of the record is one particularly uplifting single — an essential component for any record. It exudes charm and warmth while carrying an effortlessly cool vibe, making it an undeniable winner in the realm of indie tracks. The song, ‘Someday’, is one that Murphy ranks among his top favourites. “When I heard all the fuss about the Strokes, I wasn’t convinced,” he told Two Paddocks. “But when I actually listened to Is This It back in 2002, I knew they were the real thing.”
Selecting a definitive favourite track can be a daunting task for many, yet Murphy fearlessly ventures into this territory. Murphy also discussed his appreciation for Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Massive Attack’, a track penned by Peter Green as a way of describing how he attained all his desires alongside his close companions. Contrary to his usual energetic 12-bar style, the song adopts a tender and subdued tone, enhanced by his infrequent spaced-out strumming, imparting a poignant sincerity. Despite the melancholic undertone, the track remains a tribute to his friends and the joyous moments they shared.
Discussing the track, Murphy said: “This is my favourite track, [it] always makes me and everyone else dance when I play it. Energy, positivity, arrogance, youth… I’ve always loved early Fleetwood Mac before Peter Green left. I love his guitar playing and his voice.”
