John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest track I became enamored with
My first recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly recite all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.