John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I recently became aware that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The number I can not listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
