John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest tune I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by 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 selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely recite every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall pretty much 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 track to put on at a gathering
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can never listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
