John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to put on at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, 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 the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
