John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first track I became enamored with
My first recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select 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 the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings 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 selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best song to play at a soirée
It depends on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
