John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first song I was captivated by
My first recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group 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 chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently became aware that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to play at a party
It hinges on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can never bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The track I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
