John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The first track I fell in love with
My first recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I just became aware that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to put on at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder 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 placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
