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

The initial tune I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably know all the words to
I just realised that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to play at a gathering
It depends on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can not 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 LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon 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 powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like 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.

Michael Randall
Michael Randall

A passionate writer and lifestyle coach sharing insights on mindfulness and personal development.