John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I fell in love with
My earliest memory is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's 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 a former member 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 go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly know every lyric to
I recently became aware that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The best tune to blast at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can never hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.
