John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best track to blast at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can not bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The music I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
