John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The first track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I perform at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely recite all the words to
I just realised that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect track to play at a gathering
It depends on the point of the party you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can never listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.
The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
