John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely recite all the words to
I just discovered that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, 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 massive track.
The number I can never listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
