John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My most primal memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose 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 opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly remember each line to
I recently realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to play at a party
It relies on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The track I’d like played at my final send-off
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.
