John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial song I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought 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 a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably know each line to
I recently discovered that I can recall virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to play at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can not listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
