John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The first track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly know each line to
I just realised 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 the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The track I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
