John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions

The initial track I became enamored with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely know each line to
I just discovered that I know virtually 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 blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can never hear
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock music. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The song that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord consistently.

The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Katelyn Barnes
Katelyn Barnes

Elena is a literary historian and critic with a passion for uncovering hidden narratives in classic works.