John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first tune I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by 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 song I do at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly know each line to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to blast at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The number I can never listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to learn 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 the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
