John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly recite every lyric to
I just realised that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to blast at a soirée
It depends on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
