John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I just discovered that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to play at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
