John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial tune I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased 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 tune I do at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly recite each line to
I recently realised that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to blast at a party
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 night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can never listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.
The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
