John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: From Early Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes

The earliest song I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: ā€œFull speed ahead!ā€ When it reached the refrain, I remember thinking: ā€œThis must be music!ā€

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group 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 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 track I sing at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I strangely recite all the words to
I recently became aware that I know virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to play at a soirƩe
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can not bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

The tune that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that makes me cry
All music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The track I’d like to be played 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.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

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