John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest track I was captivated by
My first recollection is entering a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in 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 the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely remember all the words to
I just became aware that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to put on at a party
It depends on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like played 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.
