John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought 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 dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I oddly know each line to
I not long ago discovered that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to put on at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up 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 emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
