John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is entering a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I inexplicably remember all the words to
I recently discovered that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal track to put on at a party
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can not bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
