John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I just became aware that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and 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 undeniable hit.
The track I can not hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record 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 song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The song I’d like 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.
