John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I fell in love with
My first memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly know every lyric to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to blast at a party
It hinges on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.