John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly know each line to
I recently discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to play at a gathering
It relies on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can no longer hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
