The one song Keanu Reeves could listen to for the rest of his life
There aren’t many in Hollywood that can claim to be as loved as Keanu Reeves. Affectionately dubbed ‘The Internet’s Boyfriend’, he has effortlessly survived starring in a host of critically panned films by being a source of consistent humility and good nature.
Although he has actually featured in several classic films, such as the first two Bill and Ted movies, My Own Private Idaho, and The Matrix, Reeves has managed to maintain excellent public relations by inverting the trope of an untouchable Hollywood figure. From surprising fans out of the blue at their wedding to having many colleagues effuse about his loveable character, Reeves has many strings to his bow and continues to confirm why he is so valued.
Reeves’ lifelong love of great music outside of the Bill and Ted universe has made him a particularly fascinating character. A bass player who was once taught tricks by the eminent Red Hot Chili Peppers maestro Flea, he even fronts and helms the four-string in his band Dogstar. Unlike most famous faces that have attempted to moonlight into music with various bizarre projects, Dogstar actually holds artistic merit. Reflecting on this point, the band has supported Weezer and enjoyed a slot at Glastonbury Festival.
Unsurprisingly, Reeves has a brilliant taste in music. A big fan of hardcore punk and genre staples such as Bad Brains and Fugazi, the actor has discussed an array of stellar acts outside of these influential D.C. outfits in his time. One group he loves more than most is glacial post-punk pioneers Joy Division, who made an indelible impact on many of his generation. Reeves even cites the group’s distinctive bass player, Peter Hook, as his hero on the instrument. When speaking to Rolling Stone in 2000, he revealed all. “It’s kind of a bass line but a melody line,” he explained. “And kind of romantically epic, in a gothic kind of way.”
Joy Division has been such a significant force in Reeves’ life that when appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2022, he named the band’s quintessential song, ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, as the one he would listen to for the rest of his life. He said: “I’m gonna take Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’.”
This was not the first time Reeves had called the track his favourite of all time. During a 2014 Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, he was asked to name his ultimate number and responded: “Today I am going to pick: ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ by Joy Division!”
Listen to ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ below.
