John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely know every lyric to
I just became aware that I have memorized pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to play at a party
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can no longer hear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The song I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
