John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely know all the words to
I recently became aware that I can recall virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal 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 the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can not listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
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.
