John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The earliest tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly know each line to
I recently discovered that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to put on at a party
It depends on the point 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 party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, 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 Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The track I can no longer listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The track 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.