John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest song I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely recite every lyric to
I just realised that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the evening 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 move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
