John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably know each line to
I not long ago discovered that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to blast at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The track I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
