John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first song I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know every lyric to
I just realised that I can recall almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to play at a party
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the 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 undeniable hit.
The song I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
