John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I was captivated by
My first memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely recite every lyric to
I just realised that I can recall 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. 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 the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can not listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The track I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. 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.
