John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I inexplicably recite every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to play at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can never bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
