John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely remember each line to
I just discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to put on at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the event 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 Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
