John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The initial track I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party 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 single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely know each line to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling 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 the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
