John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest track I became enamored with
My first recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance 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 chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably remember each line to
I not long ago became aware that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably 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 hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can never listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
