John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The earliest song I became enamored with
My earliest memory is stepping into a space 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 hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick 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 chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I strangely remember each line to
I recently became aware that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The best song to blast at a soirée
It relies on the point of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.
The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The piece that makes me cry
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and pure beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.
The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
