John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently realised that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It depends 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 night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
