John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's 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 a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I just became aware that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can not listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like to be played 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.