John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial track I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store 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 track I sing at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I inexplicably remember all the words to
I recently realised that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to put on at a party
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The number I can never listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, 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 the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as 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 parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The music I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.