John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Dislikes

The first song I was captivated by
My first memory is stepping into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably recite each line to
I recently realised that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect track to play at a party
It hinges on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and just learning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The track that makes me cry
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The track I’d like played 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.

Michael Smith
Michael Smith

A tech enthusiast and writer with a background in software development, passionate about exploring how technology shapes our daily lives.