John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first track I became enamored with
My most primal memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. 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 tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely know all the words to
I not long ago realised that I know 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 best tune to put on at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can no longer listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
