John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first track I was captivated by
My earliest memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely know every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to blast at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors 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 Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. 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.
