John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial track I fell in love with
My first memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest 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 opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably know each line to
I just realised that I know almost the entire lyrical content 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 soirée
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
