John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts 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 karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely remember all the words to
I recently became aware that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to put on at a gathering
It relies on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the 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 massive track.
The song I can not bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
