John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest song I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I inexplicably know every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall 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 ideal song to blast at a party
It depends 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 night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like performed 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.
