John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased 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 dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly know all the words to
I recently discovered that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, 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 placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The song I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. 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.
