John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl 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 the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. 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 do at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely recite all the words to
I recently realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to blast at a party
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can not listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
