John Simm's Candid Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Dislikes

The first track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a room at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: ā€œFull speed ahead!ā€ When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: ā€œThis must be music!ā€

The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear 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 realised that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to put on at a party
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and 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 massive track.

The track I can no longer hear
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.

Isaac Davis
Isaac Davis

A cultural critic and music journalist with over a decade of experience covering the UK arts scene.