John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions

The first tune I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a space at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I do at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably recite each line to
I not long ago realised that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to put on at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and David 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 number I can never bear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The music I’d like played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Alyssa Martinez
Alyssa Martinez

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to helping others unlock their potential through actionable advice and inspiring stories.