John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Aversions
The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose 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 No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I strangely know each line to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to put on at a party
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can never hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, 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 powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl 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 Ray Charles.
The track that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.