John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial track I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated 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 record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I just discovered that I know pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can never hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, 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 song that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. 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.
