John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I was captivated by
My most primal memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I oddly remember each line to
I recently discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges 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 night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can not bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.
