John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The first tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently realised that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer hear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to learn 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, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
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.
