John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The first tune I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly 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 oddly know every lyric to
I recently realised that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to blast at a party
It depends 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 night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can no longer hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.
The song I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
