John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first song I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably remember each line to
I not long ago realised that I know 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 best track to put on at a soirée
It depends on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The song I’d like to be played 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.
