John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial track I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for 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 record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to play at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, 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 Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
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.
