John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions
The first track I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: āFull speed ahead!ā When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: āThis must be music!ā
The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts 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 perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, Iād select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly know each line to
I just became aware that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal song to put on at a soirƩe
It hinges on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, Iād transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The number I can no longer listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, Iād only listen to early rock ānāroll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ānāroll. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.
The tune that gets me up in the morning
Whatād I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The track Iād like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If Iām cremated, Iāll have Burning Love. If Iām buried, Iāll have Way Down.