John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The initial song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely know every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to play at a party
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most 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 hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.
The song I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that gets me emotional
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. 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.
