John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Peculiar Dislikes
The first track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. 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 allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store 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 song I sing at karaoke
I frankly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely know every lyric to
I recently realised that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect tune to play at a party
It depends on what stage of the evening 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 Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can never listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and utter perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.
The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. 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.