John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely remember every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to play at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can never hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
