John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings 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 selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely know all the words to
I recently discovered that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to play at a party
It depends on what stage 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 evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David 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 undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.
The track 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.
