John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest track I fell in love with
My first memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely remember each line to
I recently realised that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best tune to play at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can not hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The track 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.
