John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first tune I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts 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 karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly know all the words to
I just discovered that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and 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 massive track.
The song I can not listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
