John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest track I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a new record 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 record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I know pretty much 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 perfect tune to play at a party
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The song I’d like performed 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.
