John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently discovered that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best song to blast at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, 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 Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can never listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song 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 and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
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.