John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party 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 bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely know every lyric to
I just became aware that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, 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 undeniable hit.
The number I can not listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
