John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to play at a party
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, 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 absolute banger.
The song I can no longer hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
