John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions

The initial song I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a room at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: ā€œFull speed ahead!ā€ When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: ā€œThis must be music!ā€

The very first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely recite every lyric to
I recently discovered that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to play at a soirƩe
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors 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 David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can not listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

The track that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The song I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Marvin Young
Marvin Young

A seasoned tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK innovation and digital trends.