John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is entering a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know all the words 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 each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to play at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can no longer bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.