John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely recite all the words to
I just became aware that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to play at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can never listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’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 played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The track I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
