John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The earliest song 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 mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first single I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to blast at a party
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can not listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
All music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
