John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: āFull speed ahead!ā When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: āThis must be music!ā
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at sing-along
I honestly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, Iād select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I strangely remember each line to
I just realised that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The ideal track to blast at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, Iād transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The number I can never bear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The LP that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, Iād only listen to early rock ānāroll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rockānāroll, but it was electrifying rock ānāroll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The song that gets me up in the morning
Whatād I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The music Iād like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If Iām cremated, Iāll have Burning Love. If Iām buried, Iāll have Way Down.