John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I was captivated by
My first memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The piece I strangely know each line to
I recently realised that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to play at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The music I’d like played at my final send-off
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.