John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I recently realised that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to blast at a party
It depends on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
