John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first song I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the weekly dance party 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 record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly recite each line to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized virtually 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 blast at a party
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can not bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.
The track I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
