John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial song I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly recite all the words to
I just discovered that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best track to play at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can not hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and utter brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like performed at my memorial service
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.
