John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop 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 song I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I oddly remember each line to
I recently became aware that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to play 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 transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can not listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like played at my final send-off
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.
