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

The initial tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party 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 purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I oddly remember every lyric to
I recently became aware that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to play at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d transition into 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 massive track.

The track I can never listen to
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed 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 The Genius.

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The music I’d like performed at my funeral
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Jesus Fletcher
Jesus Fletcher

A tech journalist and business strategist with over a decade of experience covering global markets and digital transformation.

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