John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I was captivated by
My earliest memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. 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 track I do at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly remember every lyric to
I just discovered that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can no longer bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
