John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first song I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently discovered that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best tune to play at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
