John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely recite all the words to
I just discovered that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to play at a soirée
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can never listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard consistently.
The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.