John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The initial tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to blast at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
