John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The first track I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The track I sing at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I strangely remember every lyric to
I just realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to put on at a gathering
It depends on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The song I can not listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The music I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
