John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first song I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly recite all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best tune to play at a party
It depends on what stage of the event 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 move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, 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 song I can never listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry 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 performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
