John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose 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 Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I strangely recite all the words to
I recently realised that I can recall 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 soirée
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can not hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The music I’d like played at my funeral
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.