John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first single I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. 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 savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely recite all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I know virtually 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 ideal track to play at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and 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 absolute banger.
The track I can never hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The music I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
