John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. 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 track I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably remember each line to
I recently realised that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to play at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
