John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first song I was captivated by
My earliest memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money 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 selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably remember each line to
I recently discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to blast at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling 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 song I can never hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
