John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The initial tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly know every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling 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 song I can not bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.