John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor 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 pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely know each line to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to put on at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like played at my memorial service
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.